7,000 Haredi Vehicles Flood Israel's Highways in Historic Draft Protest

18:12 – Organizing Committee Statement:

"We are receiving ongoing reports of police attempts to infringe on the right to protest, including issuing fines. This is a serious attempt to violate a fundamental right in a democratic state, and we will not remain silent. The committee's legal team will act by every available means to fight this severe violation of freedom of expression and the right to protest."

17:55 – Wave of Violence Against Protest Convoys in Two Separate Locations:

A serious wave of violence erupted against protest convoys at two locations nationwide. On Route 7 near Ashdod, an attacker blocked a vehicle from the convoy and shattered its windshield in front of the passengers. On the Ayalon Highway, a truck driver armed with a knife and sticks violently struck the windows of a car that had set out from Bnei Brak. In both incidents, passengers reported a genuine fear for their lives. Documentation and reports from both scenes have been forwarded for urgent handling.

17:47 — Kfar Yona Mayor Albert Tayeb: "We have no problem with Haredim. We have been dealing with protests and disruptions here for a long time. It is inconceivable that there would be an active detention facility in the middle of a residential neighborhood."

17:35 — Drone footage shows Route 6 near Elad: traffic at a standstill southbound, flowing northbound.

17:33 — Shadot station commander Supt. Nadav Salma to JFeed from the Kfar Yona entrance: "The protest organizers are coordinated with us. We know their route and are deploying reinforced forces to prevent disorder."

17:22 — The Admor of Pinsk-Karlin's aide was photographed distributing drinks to convoy participants on Route 1.

17:20 — The entrance to Kfar Yona has been blocked.

17:17 — Police issue angry statement: "At this hour, traffic congestion is recorded on Routes 1 and 6 and additional arteries, following vehicle movement that does not match the understandings reached in advance with protest organizers." Police say demonstrators were observed leaving their vehicles and walking on traffic lanes, endangering themselves and other road users. "Israel Police respects the right to protest and acts to enable it within the law, but if disruption to road users continues or illegal road blockages are carried out, police will act within their authority to maintain public order and freedom of movement."

17:17 — Provocations reported at Kfar Yona.

17:00 — Organizers' command center confirms more than 7,000 vehicles participating. Heavy traffic on Route 1 and numerous other arteries. Organizers: "The convoys are proceeding responsibly, in slow and safe driving, for the sanctification of God's name. We are monitoring reports of attempts to disrupt the processions. We will not accept any infringement on our right to protest."

16:59 — Last vehicles depart Har Hamenuchot toward the convoy.

16:52 — A counter-protest of pro-draft demonstrators is waiting at Kfar Yona.

16:50 — UTJ chairman MK Yitzchak Goldknopf on Radio Kol Berama: "The day will come when we will turn this country around, but that is for a later stage. The whole land is like a bonfire. Do you think they will make slaves of us? We will take the prisons and turn them into yeshivas."

16:45 — MK Goldknopf leading the convoy on Route 1: "It is inconceivable that in Bulgaria a young man can sit and study Torah without interference, but not in the Jewish state. We went out to fulfill a mitzvah of protest."

16:37 — Massive convoy departs Har Hamenuchot in Jerusalem toward Prison 10.

16:36 — MK Goldknopf at the Schneller staging point: "We will continue protesting until the persecution of Torah learners stops."

16:35 — Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Tzachi Brim at Har Hamenuchot: "Our message is clear. We will not be silent when avreichim who are simply continuing the ways of our fathers are arrested. We chose a quiet, nonviolent protest, but with determination: there is no path without the path of Torah. Enough is enough."

16:30 — MK Meir Porush and Deputy Minister Yisrael Eichler lead a convoy of hundreds of vehicles from Har Hamenuchot toward Prison 10.

16:21 — MK Yaakov Tessler and Ashdod Deputy Mayor Rabbi Yechiel Weingarten at the Ashdod staging point.

16:20 — The Jerusalem convoy is underway.

16:19 — Dozens of vehicles stream into the Beitar Illit staging point for vehicle branding ahead of departure.

16:18 — Tzfat Deputy Mayor Nachman Galbach and city council member Baruch Klein decorating vehicles ahead of departure toward Prison 10.

16:18 — MK Porush at the Jerusalem staging point: "Only in Israel do they arrest Torah learners. We must protest."

16:10 — MK Porush and Deputy Minister Eichler at the Har Hamenuchot staging point alongside organizing committee members.

16:05 — A decorated truck bearing protest messages is stationed outside Prison 10.

16:01 — Activists complete the branding of thousands of vehicles with "Ad Kan!" signs across the country. Participants stream to staging points for what organizers are calling an unprecedented show of force for the honor of Torah and its learners.

UTJ Leadership at the Front

UTJ chairman MK Goldknopf led the Schneller convoy in Jerusalem. MK Porush and Deputy Minister Eichler fronted the Har Hamenuchot column. MK Tessler led the Ashdod convoy, and former MK Moshe Shimon Roth headed the Bnei Brak column from Chazon Ish Street. MKs declared: "Do not touch My anointed ones — in the path of Torah we will go."

Police Arrangements

A special coordination meeting was held with police Tuesday, with agreed routes and conduct established in advance. Traffic police operations branch head Supt. Roi Amichai said police deployed in force but stressed no road blockages were expected. "Our focus is on the main arteries, primarily Routes 1, 4, and 6. We reached agreement with organizers that participants will travel in the right lane. Anyone who wants to continue on their way can do so in the left lane." Participants were to travel at 50 km/h as long as it did not disrupt other road users.