Israel Police used a water cannon and stun grenades to disperse haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters from the extremist Jerusalem Faction (Peleg Yerushalmi) group who blocked Highway 4 in both directions near Yavne Interchange on Sunday morning due to an anti-draft demonstration, Israeli media reported on Sunday morning.
Israel Police said approximately 40 to 50 protesters arrived at the protest, which had been publicly scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m.
Police urged motorists to avoid the area and use alternative routes, advising drivers to consult navigation apps for updated traffic information.
Authorities also instructed drivers to follow the directions of police officers stationed at the scene.
Israel authorities ramp up arrests for draft evaders
In recent months, the Israeli security establishment has ramped up arrests for haredi draft evaders, that is, ultra-Orthodox men who refuse mandatory IDF service based on religious observance and do not receive official service exemptions from the IDF.
In response to the arrests, haredi groups have organized multiple protests throughout Jerusalem and central Israel, and the haredi IDF draft has become a central issue in the 2026 Knesset election campaigns.
Maya Zanger-Shamir contributed to this report.