**Title: Tensions Rise as Israeli Police Clash with Ultra-Orthodox Protesters Over Draft Issues**
Israeli police engaged in confrontations with members of the ultra-Orthodox Haredi community on Wednesday, following a protest against the arrest of a draft dodger. The incident occurred on Route 4, a major highway east of Tel Aviv, where dozens of protesters blocked traffic in both directions.
The demonstration began early in the morning, with protesters sitting on the road and crawling under vehicles to impede law enforcement's efforts to clear the area. In response, police deployed stun grenades and used batons to dislodge the demonstrators. Video footage from the scene captured police officers dragging protesters off the road, resulting in several individuals having their pants torn during the altercation. Reports indicate that at least five people were detained, and around eight protesters sustained minor injuries.
The protest was organized by the Jerusalem Faction, a group within the Haredi community, which condemned the police's actions as "selective enforcement" and characterized the response as "humiliating and unrestrained violence." The group has vowed to escalate the matter to the High Court of Justice if such conduct continues.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has previously supported aggressive policing tactics, commented on the incident, stating he convened an "urgent meeting" to discuss the use of stun grenades, emphasizing that they should only be employed in "exceptional cases."
Later in the day, thousands of Haredi individuals gathered outside the IDF’s Beit Lid military prison, where the arrested draft dodger was being held. Concerns arose that the protesters might attempt to breach the prison's perimeter, prompting the deployment of additional military police and troops to secure the area.
Military service in Israel is mandatory for most citizens, but members of the Haredi community have historically been exempt. This exemption was altered in 2014, leading to increased arrests of draft dodgers and subsequent protests. The situation has been exacerbated by ongoing tensions related to military conscription, particularly following a Supreme Court ruling in 2024 that mandated the conscription of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews. However, the implementation of this mass draft has been delayed.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the government and law enforcement will respond to the ongoing tensions between the state and the ultra-Orthodox community regarding military service and civil obligations.