Protests against the arrest of bnei Torah are set to expand today (Thursday) to multiple locations across the country, with security and police officials bracing for significant traffic disruptions during rush hour.
The Peleg Yerushalmi, led by HaRav Azriel Auerbach shlita, announced it will join demonstrations today at several sites that remain undisclosed.
Routes 1 and 4 stand at the centre of concern, where blockades could severely impact traffic in Gush Dan and the Jerusalem area. The Peleg has not released an official list of protest sites, leaving the exact locations unclear at this stage.
Likely targets include the Chords Bridge at the entrance to Jerusalem and Route 4 near the entrance to Bnei Brak, though changes are possible.
The protests follow this week's arrest of two yeshiva students in Be'er Sheva and Eilat. In the Eilat case, the student was initially detained by police, and only after a check was it discovered he was wanted by military authorities. He was then transferred to the relevant IDF officials.
The call to escalate the protests came from HaRav Azriel Auerbach shlita, who instructed his Peleg members to join the demonstrations.
The Committee for Saving the Torah World stated that the call for protests came in response to "the arrest of yeshiva students and kollel members in recent days by military authorities for the crime of Torah study, and their abandonment by the chareidi establishment."
The demonstrations are expected to last between two and three hours and cause heavy traffic congestion. Beyond the Jerusalem entrance and Route 4, additional protest sites may be announced across the country during the day.
Police and traffic authorities are preparing for possible blockades on major arteries, and the public is asked to anticipate significant changes and delays during rush hour.
