Hundreds of demonstrators protesting the military draft clashed with police Sunday in Yerushalayim and Beit Shemesh, as major roads were blocked, the light rail was forced to suspend service, and confrontations between protesters and security forces escalated into violent street battles.

Sunday evening, Rechov Shivtei Yisrael in Yerushalayim became the focal point of the unrest as large numbers of demonstrators gathered for an anti-draft protest that quickly deteriorated into fierce confrontations with police and YASAM riot officers. Protesters blocked key traffic arteries, bringing the city’s light rail system to a complete halt and causing widespread transportation disruptions.

According to an initial report by the Yerushalayim Center news site, what began as a demonstration in the Shivtei Yisrael area rapidly escalated into a large-scale public disturbance. Protesters occupied the roadway, prompting the Kfir light rail company, under instructions from Israel Police, to immediately suspend service between Givat HaMivtar and City Hall stations.

Large contingents of Yerushalayim District police officers, Border Police personnel, and YASAM forces were deployed to the scene. A police commander repeatedly called on demonstrators over loudspeakers to clear the roads, but after those appeals were ignored, officers moved in to disperse the crowd and reopen the blocked streets.

Earlier in the day, another heated anti-draft demonstration took place in Beit Shemesh, where protesters blocked Route 10 near the city as well as the Rasdo traffic circle. The road closures caused severe traffic congestion and required a significant police deployment before order was eventually restored.

The recurring draft protests have continued to disrupt travel throughout Israel in recent months. In one notable case, a Tel Aviv Small Claims Court rejected a compensation lawsuit filed by a customer whose washing machine delivery was delayed by four hours because of protest-related roadblocks. The court ruled that, under the circumstances, delivery companies that make reasonable efforts to complete deliveries despite such disruptions should not be held liable.

The anti-draft demonstrations have become an increasingly common occurrence in recent months as opponents of the proposed draft law continue taking to the streets. Sunday’s unrest in Yerushalayim marked the latest in a series of similar protests that have taken place across the country in recent weeks.

{Matzav.com}