Thousands of vehicles poured onto roads across Israel this afternoon as large-scale protest convoys departed from 19 cities nationwide toward Military Prison 10, in a mass demonstration against the arrest of bnei Torah who have been detained over military draft-related issues.

Organizers estimated that tens of thousands of drivers would ultimately participate in the coordinated protest, which began at approximately 4:00 p.m. and quickly led to major traffic disruptions on key highways throughout the country.

According to figures released by the protest organizers’ command center, more than 7,000 vehicles had already joined the demonstrations by 5:00 p.m. Heavy congestion was reported on Highway 1, Highway 6, Highway 4, Highway 2, and numerous additional routes as convoys made their way toward the military detention facility.

The protest was organized following calls from leading gedolei Torah to publicly demonstrate against the imprisonment of yeshivah students classified by authorities as draft evaders. Convoys departed from cities including Yerushalayim, Bnei Brak, Ashdod, Beitar Illit, Kiryat Gat, and others.

Several senior chareidi political figures joined the demonstrations. Housing Minister Yitzchak Goldknopf led the Yerushalayim convoy, while MK Meir Porush and Deputy Minister Yisrael Eichler participated from other protest hubs. In Bnei Brak, former MK Moshe Shimon Roth joined the convoy departing from the city.

Earlier in the day, organizers announced that Slabodka Rosh Yeshivah Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch had given his blessing to participants. Shas also formally joined the protest after statements from senior Torah leaders emphasizing the obligation to demonstrate against the arrests.

At one protest gathering, MK Meir Porush declared, “Only in the State of Israel are Torah learners arrested. We must protest.”

Members of Shas, including MK Michael Malkieli, Health Minister Uriel Bussu, and MK Yonatan Mashriki, attended one of the convoys and voiced support for the campaign. Malkieli stated, “In the State of Israel, they should protect Torah learners, not persecute Torah learners.”

As the convoys progressed, several incidents of violence were reported.

One of the most serious occurred on Highway 7 near Ashdod, where participants alleged that a motorist blocked a protest vehicle, attempted to assault the driver, and then smashed a window after the driver closed it. Protesters further claimed that threats were made against the vehicle’s occupants. No injuries were immediately reported.

Another confrontation took place on the Ayalon Highway near Tel Aviv. According to participants, a truck driver exited his vehicle and approached one of the convoy cars while allegedly carrying a knife and clubs. Protesters claimed he struck the vehicle and pounded on the windows while the occupants remained inside. Police were notified, and the incident remains under investigation.

In Beitar Illit, Deputy Mayor Gedalyahu Eisenstein, who also heads the city’s chasidic faction, was reportedly attacked during the convoy. Witnesses claimed that an individual rammed his vehicle and then physically assaulted him, including attempting to choke him.

Additional clashes were reported in Arad, where confrontations broke out between local secular residents and members of the Ger chasidus participating in the demonstration.

The organizing committee accused police of attempting to undermine the protest by issuing traffic citations to participants. In a statement released during the evening, organizers said they had received multiple reports from drivers alleging interference with their right to protest.

“This constitutes a serious attempt to infringe upon a fundamental right in a democratic state, and we will not remain silent,” the committee said, adding that its legal team would pursue all available avenues to combat what it described as a violation of freedom of expression and protest.

The organizers also expressed gratitude to non-chareidi Israelis who spontaneously joined the convoys.

“We are receiving moving reports about many drivers and members of the general public who are not part of the chareidi sector but chose to identify with the struggle, join the vehicle protest, and strengthen it,” the committee said. “Their participation increases the public impact of the demonstration. We thank them deeply for their solidarity at this critical moment for the honor of Torah.”

Israeli police, meanwhile, warned that some protesters were not adhering to agreements reached in advance with organizers. Authorities reported significant traffic congestion and stated that in some locations demonstrators had exited their vehicles and entered active traffic lanes, creating safety hazards.

Police emphasized that while the roads had not been completely shut down at that stage, the demonstrations were causing substantial disruptions to traffic flow. Authorities reiterated that they respect the right to protest but warned that unlawful road blockages or dangerous conduct would result in enforcement measures, including fines, towing of vehicles, digital enforcement tools, and other tactical responses.

Political reactions were swift and sharply divided.

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman blasted the chareidi leadership, accusing Shas and United Torah Judaism officials of “holding the chareidi public hostage” and creating resentment among the broader population.

National Unity leader MK Gadi Eisenkot also criticized the demonstrations, stating that “the non-working and non-serving public is paralyzing the state and shutting down the working and serving sector at the end of the workday,” while blaming Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and chareidi party leaders for the situation.

Porush responded by accusing government officials and public figures of contributing to hostility against the chareidi community. Referring to reports of attacks on demonstrators, he called on police to act forcefully against violent individuals and said the incidents were the result of ongoing incitement against bnei Torah.

By early evening, highways throughout central Israel remain heavily congested as thousands of vehicles continue their slow march toward Prison 10, turning what organizers described as a protest for the rights of Torah learners into the largest vehicle demonstrations the chareidi community has mounted in recent years.

{Matzav.com}