Haredi extremists ignite nationwide road blockades and declare "protest of rage" over draft dodger arrests

Ultra-Orthodox groups block Route 4 and Beit Shemesh roads to protest draft arrests, calling for a massive "protest of rage" in Jerusalem tomorrow at 5 p.m.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 1:54 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

Civil Unrest Paralyzes Major Transport Arteries

The longstanding conflict over military conscription in Israel reached a boiling point today as hundreds of demonstrators from the extremist Jerusalem Faction blocked Route 4 near Bnei Brak. The protest, characterized by intense anti-state rhetoric, saw demonstrators burning Israeli flags and displaying mock tombstones with the slogan "We will die and not enlist." One protester was recorded screaming that they would rather die as Haredim than live as IDF soldiers, a sentiment reflecting the deep-seated ideological opposition to the recent judicial and military moves to end blanket draft exemptions for yeshiva students.

The Arrest of Nehorai Bachar and the "Red Line"

The current wave of demonstrations was triggered by the arrest of Nehorai Bachar, a yeshiva student taken into custody from within his study hall in Herzliya and subsequently transferred to a military prison. The Jerusalem Faction’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Azriel Auerbach, declared that the arrest within the "walls of the yeshiva" crossed an unacceptable red line. In a formal statement, the Rabbi characterized the failure to protest as participation in the "persecution of those who learn Torah." This directive has effectively mobilized the faction’s estimated 60,000 members, who utilize a dedicated hotline to coordinate rapid-response blockades and protests across the country.

Police Intervention and Safety Concerns

The Israel Police have responded with a multi-front enforcement operation to clear rioters from three primary locations, including Route 38 in Beit Shemesh and Tsahal Square in Jerusalem. While police officials stated they respect the "cornerstone of democracy" that is the right to protest, they emphasized that they will not tolerate behavior that endangers public safety or violates the freedom of movement. Officers have been seen physically removing protesters who sat in the middle of highways, as the "Jerusalem Faction" continues to incentivize draft evasion through financial rewards for those who successfully avoid conscription.