Dozens of Chareidim blocked Egged buses at the entrance to Jerusalem near the Chords Bridge in a stormy protest against buses operating during the final hours on Shabbos.

The buses travel from northern Israel and drop off passengers outside the Central Bus Station.

The blockade caused significant traffic delays in the area, with vehicles forced to seek alternative routes.

About an hour after the blockade began, and just minutes before the end of Shabbos, police announced that “reinforced forces are on their way to the scene in order to disperse those disrupting public order and restore traffic to normal.” Security officials said they were proceeding with great caution due to the sensitivity of the hour, while attempting to prevent confrontations.

Police later said the protesters had left the area and traffic had returned to normal. Police forces remained in the area to ensure that traffic continued to flow.

Protests against public transportation operating on Shabbos also took place in Tzfas. An unusual incident was also reported in Bnei Brak over the same issue. Large construction containers were placed on the bridge leading to the mixed Shikun HaSofrim neighborhood in an effort to prevent vehicles from traveling there on Shabbos.

Following a report by Army Radio, police reopened the road, seized the truck, and questioned the truck driver who had placed the containers. The driver claimed that he had been sent by the Bnei Brak municipality. However, the municipality denied that it had ordered the containers to be placed there.

A police source told Army Radio: “We view this act of thuggery and irresponsibility, which harms residents’ freedom of movement, with great severity. We acted immediately to remove the dangerous obstruction from the road, and the route is now open to vehicular traffic.”

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)