A turbulent demonstration against the arrests of yeshiva bochurim brought traffic on Highway 4 near Bnei Brak to a standstill for approximately three hours Wednesday, with some protesters wearing yellow stars and others displaying signs featuring graphic Holocaust imagery.

The protest was organized by members of the Peleg Yerushalmi in response to the ongoing arrests of yeshiva bochurim over their failure to report for military service. Demonstrators highlighted the latest case involving a yeshiva bochur classified as a draft evader who was transferred from the Lahav 433 police unit to military prison.

Hundreds of protesters gathered near the entrance to Bnei Brak and moved onto Highway 4, blocking traffic and prompting a large police response.

During the demonstration, some participants wore yellow stars bearing the Hebrew word “Chareidi,” deliberately evoking the yellow badges that Jews were forced to wear under Nazi rule during the Holocaust.

Other demonstrators carried signs comparing the current draft controversy to the Holocaust. One sign, displayed in both Hebrew and English alongside graphic photographs of Nazis leading Jews to their deaths, declared, “It is preferable to die in the Holocaust as a Jew than to convert in IDF camps.”

The use of Holocaust imagery and yellow stars became one of the most striking features of the demonstration as protesters continued blocking the major highway for several hours.

Following the dispersal of the protest, Israel Police announced that Highway 4 had reopened in both directions.

“Israel Police operated in recent hours in an effort to maintain public order, following protesters who blocked Highway 4, disturbed the peace and confronted police officers at the scene. Highway 4 has now been reopened to traffic in both directions,” police said.

Authorities described the gathering as an illegal demonstration and accused participants of endangering themselves and disrupting motorists traveling through the area.

“During an illegal demonstration held on Highway 4, near the city of Bnei Brak, hundreds of protesters confronted police officers, endangered their lives, physically blocked vehicles and infringed upon the freedom of movement of road users,” police said.

Police said an officer formally declared the demonstration illegal, but protesters refused instructions to clear the roadway and continued blocking traffic with their bodies.

“During the demonstration, a police officer declared the protest illegal, but the protesters did not obey the officers’ instructions, continued disturbing the public order and blocked the roads with their bodies. A short time ago, the demonstration was dispersed and the road was reopened to traffic. Israel Police views the right to protest as a cornerstone of a democratic state and permits protests as long as they are conducted within the framework of the law. At the same time, police will not permit disturbances of any kind or infringements upon freedom of movement, and will not tolerate behavior that could endanger public safety.”

The demonstration ultimately dispersed after approximately three hours, allowing traffic to resume on Highway 4 following an afternoon of major disruptions near Bnei Brak.

{Matzav.com}