Israeli police are preparing for a major protest rally expected to take place this evening on Bar-Ilan Street in Jerusalem, opposing the proposed draft law and the regulation of yeshiva students’ military status currently advancing in the Knesset.
Hundreds of police officers and Border Police units will be deployed throughout the area to secure the demonstration, maintain public order, and manage traffic. Police emphasized that the protest was coordinated in advance and will be permitted only under the agreed framework with organizers. Any attempt to disrupt or block traffic on central routes outside that framework, police warned, will be treated as a criminal offense.
The rally follows a series of high-level consultations held last week among senior ultra-Orthodox rabbinic leaders from across the country, who convened in Jerusalem amid what they described as decisive deliberations over the draft law. At the conclusion of those meetings, organizers announced plans for a large-scale gathering titled “The Voice of Their Cry,” intended as a public show of opposition to the legislation. Notably, none of the Hasidic rebbes who sit on the Council of Torah Sages formally instructed their followers to attend the event.
Police said the protest will be centered on Bar-Ilan Street and nearby roads, with officers positioned to guide participants and protect both demonstrators and local residents. Authorities stressed that enforcement will be strict with regard to violence, vandalism, or actions that endanger public safety.
Expected traffic disruptions:
- From approximately 12:00 p.m. until the end of the rally, roads adjacent to Bar-Ilan Street and Tzefania Street will be closed to vehicle traffic.
- Golda Meir Boulevard will be closed from the Shefa Junction toward the Bar-Ilan Junction.
- Additional closures may be imposed on nearby streets and access routes leading to the demonstration area.
- Significant congestion is expected on entrances to and exits from Jerusalem.
Police guidelines for participants and the public:
- Arrival must be lawful and adapted to road conditions.
- Blocking central traffic arteries is strictly prohibited.
- The rally may proceed only within the approved framework.
- Lighting fires or burning objects is forbidden and will be met with immediate enforcement.
- Unauthorized drone flights in the area are prohibited.
- Participants are required to follow police instructions and refrain from violence or property damage, which will be handled with zero tolerance.
Drivers are advised to avoid the Bar-Ilan and Tzefania areas from midday onward, use navigation apps to plan alternate routes, and exercise patience and caution. In emergencies, the public is instructed to contact the police immediately.
