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Haredi protesters block traffic in Bnei Brak after draft dodgers arrested

Bnei Brak, Tel Aviv, Israel · Oct 29, 2026

Is it still on?

NOIt was a one-day action on Oct 29.

Last report · checked

The Tea in three lines

Why they are protesting
Ultra-Orthodox protesters demonstrated following the arrest of yeshiva students classified as military draft deserters.
What they want
Protesters demanded the release of arrested draft dodgers and opposed military conscription.
What changed
Oct 29: Police used batons, flash grenades, and a water cannon to clear protesters who blocked Highway 4 and other roads.
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Both sides

What protesters want

  • Release arrested draft dodgers
  • Halt military conscription of yeshiva students

Organised by: Jerusalem Faction

What authorities say

According to The Jerusalem Post and Israel National News, police declared the protest unlawful, closed major roads including Highway 4, and used batons, flash grenades, and a water cannon to disperse the crowd.12

The numbers

Only figures a source states, with who said it. Estimates often differ.

Crowd
200
About 200 ultra-Orthodox protesters3
Arrests / detentions
3
Three rioters were arrested1
Injuries
3
three wounded Israel Police officers and multiple injured rioters1

The full story

Ultra-Orthodox protesters demonstrated on Thursday near Bnei Brak following the military police arrests of yeshiva students classified as draft deserters, including US citizen Yisrael Lenderer and Alon Smajda. Organised in part by the Jerusalem Faction, demonstrators blocked central roadways such as Highway 4 and Jabotinsky Road, as well as light rail tracks in Petah Tikva. The Israel Police declared the gathering unlawful after protesters failed to disperse, subsequently using batons, flash grenades, and a water cannon to clear the roads and reopen traffic. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticised Police Commissioner Daniel Levy regarding the police handling of the demonstrations.

Timeline

  1. Police declared the protest unlawful and used batons, flash grenades, and a water cannon to clear the roads.1

  2. About 200 ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked a central interchange on Route 4 near Bnei Brak.3

  3. Military police arrested yeshiva students classified as deserters, prompting the Jerusalem Faction to announce demonstrations.2

Pins sit on city centres, never on gathering points

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