Protests sweep Jerusalem over arrests of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers VIDEO

A protest took place in the Mea Shearim neighbourhood of Jerusalem against the arrest of ultra-Orthodox evading military conscription. 

The demonstration was organised under the guidance of the Admor of the Hasidic community “Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok" following the detention of two of his followers in Beit Shemesh, Mignews reports.

Later, protesters moved to Ha’im Bar-Lev Boulevard, where they blocked traffic and disrupted Jerusalem tram lines.

According to police, participants lay on the road and railway tracks, dragged garbage containers and metal barriers into the streets, obstructing movement.

Eyewitnesses reported that demonstrators pushed obstacles onto the road while drivers attempted to navigate around the blocked sections. Police deployed a water cannon to disperse the crowd.

Authorities said that police and border guards spent about an hour on Bar-Lev Boulevard restoring order. Vehicle traffic has now resumed, and efforts to normalise tram operations are ongoing.

The demonstration also included fires set on the roadway and inside a garbage container. Additionally, a soldier in the area was verbally attacked by protesters.

By Khagan Isayev