Ultra-Orthodox Jews Plan Massive Convoy Protest Against Deserter Arrests

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish groups are organizing a large-scale vehicle convoy protest scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, departing simultaneously from 19 locations across Israel. According to organizers, approximately 2,000 vehicles have already registered for the demonstration, which is being coordinated with police. The convoy, organized by the Agudat Israel political party, aims to protest the military detention of ultra-Orthodox draft evaders and will travel slowly toward Prison 10 near Kiryat Yona while circling the facility with honking horns before dispersing.

The demonstration represents an escalation in tensions over military conscription of the ultra-Orthodox community. Participants are expected to depart from cities spanning from Tzfat and Hadera in the north to Arad in the south, including Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Ashdod, Netanya, and Ramat Hasharon. Police estimate 600-800 vehicles will participate, though organizers claim 2,000 registrations, with expected traffic disruptions on major highways including Routes 1, 2, 4, and 6. Spokespeople emphasize the protest is approved and coordinated with authorities, designed to express solidarity with detained yeshiva students rather than to block roads.

The Kiryat Yona municipality is preparing a counter-response, with the city mayor announcing plans to prevent the convoy from entering the city and forming a "human barrier" at the base entrance. Security officials expressed concern about potential clashes between demonstrators and residents. Following a similar protest last week near the facility that effectively isolated the town, police have requested that convoy participants remain on surrounding roads rather than entering the city or approaching the prison gates directly.

Meanwhile, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sent a letter to Police Commissioner Dani Levy demanding an investigation into alleged police use of stun grenades and excessive force against ultra-Orthodox demonstrators during dispersals near Bnei Brak the previous week. Ben Gvir, despite previously supporting stun grenade deployment for crowd control, called for "zero tolerance" for excessive violence and indicated he may permanently remove from service officers and commanders found to have violated regulations.

Central Elections Committee announced that enforcement operations related to draft evasion will be suspended during the upcoming Knesset election day, approved by the government legal advisor and police commissioner. Protest organizers stated their intention to conduct the demonstration legally and with full police coordination, with spokespersons characterizing the action as an expression of pain and solidarity rather than confrontation, noting: "We are not blocking roads, we are traveling in convoys of support for Torah students."