Full Breakdown
Haredi Anti-Draft Protests and Police Dispersals, June 2026
6/18/2026, 5:31:03 AM
Protest Actions and Police Response
On 17 June 2026, members of the Jerusalem Faction blocked Highway 4 near Bnei Brak in directions. Police cleared the obstruction by 10 a.m., arresting five demonstrators and evacuating two injured participants to Rabin Medical Center. Thousands of ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked the Highway 57 intersection at the Beit Lid–Kfar Yona junction outside Prison 10, prompting police to use force.
Legal Background and Conscription Policy
A Supreme Court ruling on 25 June 2024 ordered conscription of Haredi seminary students and barred funding for institutions whose students refuse service. Rabbis instructed followers to reject draft notices, arguing that military service threatens Torah study.
Data and Scale
Haredi citizens comprise about 13 % of Israel’s population. Reports cite “thousands” gathered at the Highway 57 site, while organizers of a canceled convoy projected “tens of thousands” of vehicles. Police noted five arrests and two injuries on Highway 4; on 4 June, 65 Haredi individuals were detained for attempting to storm the home of Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Solberg.
Official Statements & Responses
The Israel Police said protest is a democratic right but warned against riots and disruptions to freedom of movement. A police commander declared the Highway 4 blockade illegal before dispersal. Chairman Arye Deri condemned the police action and urged Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to intervene.
Criticism & Opposition
Rabbi Dov Lando, in the United States, warned that the convoy could provoke violence and instructed followers to refrain from confronting police. Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch called participation “forbidden, under any circumstances.” Knesset member Michal Michaeli described the police conduct as “unbecoming of the police.” Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused Deri of opposing conscription while serving in the cabinet.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the size of the Highway 57 gathering, with one report citing “thousands” and another indicating “tens of thousands” for the canceled convoy. The current status of the protest remains unclear, as some organizers claim police approval while others report a withdrawal of support.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We will not remain silent over the violence we absorbed this morning. This will have severe consequences. We will shut down the country, and anyone who thinks they have seen it all is in for surprises. The struggle is only at its beginning, and our next steps will be far more significant.” — Senior official, Jerusalem Faction
- “(credit: ISRAEL POLICE) "The Israel Police views the right to protest as a cornerstone of a democratic state and permits protests as long as they are held within the framework of the law.” — Israel Police spokesperson
- “conduct unbecoming of the police.” — Michal Michaeli, Knesset member
- “strictly forbidden, under any circumstances, to participate in or be present among those who go to places where there are confrontations with the police.” — Rabbi Dov Lando, Degel HaTorah
What’s Next
The convoy planned for the coming days was canceled after senior rabbis opposed it, leaving the demonstration on hold. The conscription dispute remains unresolved as Israel continues to mobilize reservists amid ongoing regional tensions.
