Major traffic disruptions swept across central Israel on Thursday evening as demonstrators launched a series of protests against the IDF draft, blocking key highways and railway lines after threatening to “paralyze Gush Dan.”
Thousands of motorists were caught in massive traffic jams as protesters shut down portions of Highway 4, Highway 6, Highway 1, and Route 444. Police reported that Highway 4 was completely closed in both directions between the Shivat HaShiva and Mesubim interchanges, while Highway 6 was shut down near the Ben Shemen area and the Hadid Tunnel.
Additional demonstrations were reported near the Geha Junction and outside Elad, further snarling traffic throughout the region.
The disruptions extended beyond the roadways. Protesters entered railway tracks near Ganot, forcing Israel Railways to suspend train service between Tel Aviv and Lod. Rail officials said service was halted on police instructions due to the significant danger posed by individuals entering active rail lines.
“Due to protesters entering railway property near Ganot in violation of safety regulations and while placing themselves in considerable danger, train traffic in the area has been temporarily suspended,” Israel Railways said in a statement. “Service will resume once the protesters are removed from the tracks.”
Several confrontations were reported between protesters and frustrated motorists. In one incident, a female driver allegedly threatened demonstrators with an iron bar before being assaulted. Police also declared an unlawful gathering on Highway 1 near the Ganot Interchange.
Large police forces were deployed throughout the affected areas in an effort to reopen roads and restore normal traffic flow. Authorities warned that congestion was expected to worsen throughout the evening, particularly due to major concerts taking place in Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan.
Police urged the public to avoid affected areas, use alternative routes, and consider public transportation where possible.
Deputy Commander of the Traffic Division Control Center, Chief Inspector Shlomo Bano, said police would continue balancing the right to protest with the public’s right to travel freely.
“Israel Police are prepared to allow freedom of protest while also safeguarding freedom of movement,” Bano said. “As long as the balance is maintained, demonstrations will be permitted. But if freedom of movement is significantly harmed, we will act aggressively to protect the public’s right to travel.”
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
2 Responses
I feel proud being a Jew. Finally, Jews fighting for Torah… unlike IDF soldiers fighting for careers of high ranking secular generals.
These thugs are an embarrassment to Klal Yisroel. If they were serious about advocating for Torah value, they would do their demonstrations without causing harm to others. I might sympathize for their cause. But when their behavior deteriorates in to this chilul Hashem, the cause gets lost in their violence. I am horrified by the stubbornness of the Israeli government regarding the draft issue. I am equally horrified by the way this group approaches the issue. If they were truly serious about Torah value, they would be busy learning, not being destructive to other Yidden.
Baruch Hashem. The Zionist anti-Torah State and police only respond to pressure.
@The Little I Know,
You know less than you think
They weren’t left with a choice
dumb,
Why are you so proud of these violent thugs flaunting our Geodlim who ordered them to remain in the Beis Medrash and not to demonstrate?
I’m truly embarrassed to have once been associated with these people
No problem Moshe, in the next World they’ll make sure you’re not anywhere near them. You could spend your time with all the people that fought against learning and took away their funding, when you see what happens to those that get there though only then you’ll start those severe regrets
The reality is PROTESTS WORK. There is a reason why everyone does it. The leftists did it for thier cause, the dati leumi do it for thier cause and the chareidim do it for their’s. In the 21st century, it is one of the only ways of fighting for a cause.
@The-little-I-know
Can you define the halachic parameters of chilul Hashem and how their actions fit into that definition?
How even-handed of you to be “equally horrified” by both them and liHavdil the shmad forces that made them all illegal and has been taking them from their beds in the middle of the night.
Yet you have the chutzpah to state that if they were they were “truly serious about Torah value, they would be busy learning, not being destructive to other Yidden.” What earthly power do they have against that “State” of shmad?