Ultra-Orthodox (haredi) protests over the contentious draft bill and ongoing arrests of draft dodgers erupted across central Israel and Jerusalem on Thursday afternoon, blocking traffic and disrupting public order.
The protests follow instructions from Rabbi Zvi Friedman, who earlier on Thursday called for protests following a wave of draft dodger arrests.
In Jerusalem, the protest was officially declared a riot by Israel Police, and officers from both Israel Police and Border Police are working to remove protesters from the Bar Ilan intersection.
A police officer and a passerby were both lightly injured after protesters threw stones at officers operating at the scene, according to Israel Police.
Footage circulating on social media also shows a protester shouting “Itbah al-Yahud,” an Arabic phrase that translates to “kill the Jews,” at officers.
הפגנת חרדים עכשיו בי-ם, חסימות רכבים ועימותים עם נהגים.
המשטרה מנסה לפנות את הכביש ולאפשר למעבר של אוטובוסים, כך דווח על ידי חיים גולדיטש מכאן 11.בטלגרם: https://t.co/kbZeZHwTrZ | בווטסאפ:https://t.co/0PjXZSy8Ga
אין מכתזיות, אין פרשים, אין שוטרים ואין מעצרים.
את החרדים מכילים pic.twitter.com/QgZASmp5dR— Rivka Gelber (@RivkaGelber) May 28, 2026
Protests escalate to physical violence in central Israel
Outside of Bnei Brak, protesters have blocked Route 4 at the Geha junction, sitting on the road and chanting, “Prisoners of the world of Torah, the great of the nation.”
Some of the protestors are reportedly wearing black ribbons tied around their wrists to stand in solidarity with the so-called “prisoners.”
Police quickly declared the protest “illegal,” and a police officer on site told protesters that if they did not clear the road, dispersal by force and the use of measures would begin.
Near Rosh Ha’ayin, clashes erupted between protesters blocking the road and drivers who exited their vehicles to confront them.
Footage circulating on social media also shows traffic outside of Elad due to the ongoing protests.
Hodaya Ran contributed to this report.
