Members of the extremist Peleg Yerushalmi sect blocked Highway 4 near Bnei Brak to protest recent detentions of haredi draft dodgers, as police diverted traffic.
Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters began blocking Highway 4 near Bnei Brak on Monday afternoon as part of an anti-IDF draft demonstration that the Israel Police declared as unlawful.
Dozens of haredi anti-draft protesters block Highway 4, February 9, 2026. (credit: ISRAEL POLICE)
The protest is being carried out by the extremist anti-draft Peleg Yerushalmi sect to denounce the detention of haredi draft dodgers, which took place over the weekend, according to reports in Israeli media.
Police officers are at the protest location, directing traffic to alternative routes.
Video footage from the scene, seen by The Jerusalem Post, shows police officers forcibly dispersing protesters.
Israel Police and Border Police officers forcibly disperse haredi anti-draft protesters blocking Highway 4, February 9, 2026. (credit: ISRAEL POLICE)
“Israel Police sees the right to protest as a cornerstone of a democratic country and allows protests as long as they take place within the framework of the law. At the same time, the police will not allow any kind of disorder or violation of freedom of movement, or any behavior that may endanger the safety of the public,” police said.
Haredi anti-draft protesters dance in a circle blocking Highway 25, February 9, 2026. (credit: ISRAEL POLICE)
Additionally, haredi anti-draft protesters blocked Highway 25 at the Gilat Junction near Ofakim in southern Israel.
Dozens of protesters danced in a circle, common within the haredi community, near a military office, video footage shows.
In the center of the circle, the protesters placed a yellow chair, which was used to symbolize Gaza hostages taken during the October 7 massacre.
This is a developing story.