A 22-year-old driver from Kafr Qasim was released without being questioned after allegedly striking a chareidi protester during demonstrations Thursday night at the Geha Junction area, prompting outrage among participants and organizers.

According to a report by Channel 14, the driver was released after requesting medical treatment and is expected to be summoned for questioning at a later date. Authorities said the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

The incident occurred during a protest against the arrest of yeshiva bochurim and the ongoing enforcement of military conscription policies affecting the chareidi community.

Witnesses said the driver passed through the area of the demonstration and struck a chareidi protester. Emergency personnel responded to the scene and transported the injured man to a hospital for treatment. His condition was later classified as moderate.

According to Magen David Adom, medical teams evacuated a 21-year-old man who was injured in what protesters described as an intentional vehicular attack near the Ganot Interchange area. The victim reportedly sustained moderate injuries near Mesubim.

Footage of the incident quickly spread online, drawing widespread attention and criticism over the handling of the case.

Police have not yet released findings regarding the circumstances of the incident, and the investigation remains active. As of Friday, the driver had not been formally questioned.

Following the demonstrations, Peleg Yerushalmi issued a statement indicating that the protests would continue and likely intensify.

“The demonstrations are not about to stop—on the contrary, they are expected only to intensify and expand,” the group said.

“The message of the thousands of protesters is clear: Leave the Torah learners alone, and there will be peace here. Continue to persecute them, and you will discover that life here will not return to what it was.”

{Matzav.com}