Hundreds of protesters from the Jerusalem faction blocked traffic this evening (Monday) at the Ganot interchange on Highway 4, at the entrance to Jerusalem, in Netivot in the south, and at the entrance to Safed in the north - in protest against the arrest of yeshiva students and students.
Towards 7:30 PM, the "Committee for Saving the World of Torah" of the "Pelag" announced that "he will return to the Talmud.".
During the demonstration, the Jerusalem Light Rail system in the area was halted. Police reported that following the protest at the entrance to Jerusalem, the Gesher HaMitarim intersection was blocked in both directions, as well as Begin Road.
The Israel Police stated: "Following a protest that began at the entrance to the city of Jerusalem, rioters blocked the Gesher Mitar intersection in both directions as well as Begin Road. The rioters are physically blocking the road and vehicles, the light rail, and disrupting daily life.".
Jerusalem District Police and Border Guard soldiers are preparing to disperse rioters and restore public order.
Drivers are asked to follow police instructions and choose alternative routes.""
During the activities of the forces to disperse the demonstration, several rioters were arrested for rioting and attacking police officers and were taken for questioning.
3 police officers were slightly injured while dealing with disturbances.
Stun grenades in protest. Video: David Keshet
About an hour after the demonstration began at the Ganot Interchange, the police declared the demonstration illegal, and began throwing stun grenades at the demonstrators in an attempt to clear the roads. Severe clashes are ongoing at the scene.
The police said: "A short time ago, dozens of protesters arrived near the Ganot Interchange and began disrupting the order, blocking Highway 4 in both directions. Police forces are currently operating against the disruptors, with the aim of clearing the road, while the protesters are not obeying the police's instructions. A police officer announced an illegal demonstration before using force and deploying means.".
The police are making changes to traffic arrangements and directing drivers to alternative routes.
After the demonstration at the Ganot Junction ended, thousands of protesters returned to the buses that brought them - ready to return to the various cities and open the roads.
Video: Police spokeswoman
Hundreds of protesters also arrived in front of the home of the head of the Israel Police Traffic Division, Chief Haim Shmueli, in the Pisgat Ze'ev neighborhood of Jerusalem.
The protesters rioted at the officer's house. The protesters explained that the officer's house had become a target because his unit, the protesters claim, stops drivers - and if they appear to be deserters, they are transferred to the military police.
Police officers who arrived at the scene tried to keep the protesters away and used stun grenades. A police officer was moderately injured by a stun grenade in his hand. About 20 other protesters were slightly injured.
Protests across the country:
• Jerusalem: The Bridge of Strings - The Entrance to the City
• Jerusalem: Herzl Boulevard - Begin
• Jerusalem: Har Hotzvim - Technology Department of the Israel Police
• Pisgat Ze'ev: Home of the head of the traffic division, Chief Chaim Shmueli
• Center: Ganot Interchange (8 lanes)
• Center: The railway route was blocked near Ganot
• South: Fork junction at the entrance to Netivot
• North: Entrance to the city of Safed
The rioters also blocked the Fork Junction, near the city of Netivot, resulting in severe traffic disruptions there.
Netivot Police, the Southern District, and Border Guard soldiers are preparing to disperse rioters in order to restore public order and traffic.
Israel Railways said: Israel Railways emphasizes that train traffic will resume after the police complete the evacuation of all protesters who broke onto the tracks in violation of instructions and at the risk of human life, causing severe disruptions to train traffic throughout the country. The train is assisting and directing passengers who are delayed at stations and distributing bottles of water.
The Jerusalem faction threatened after the demonstrations: "As long as Torah students continue to be harassed in the Land of Israel, the demonstrations are bound to intensify and set new records that the State of Israel has not yet recognized. The demand is one and clear - the restoration of the 'Torah and His Art' order, which exempts Torah students from military service. If not - chaos will reign in the streets with an intensity you have never known!""
