Haredi protesters to block Highway 4, Jabotinsky Street in Bnei Brak over draft dodger detention

Haredi demonstrators plan to block Highway 4 and Jabotinsky Street in Bnei Brak on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. to protest the detention of a draft dodger. Police advised drivers to avoid the area. The suspect was initially summoned by Lahav 433 for questioning regarding serious criminal offenses and was transferred to military police upon discovery of his draft-dodger status. Shas MK Moshe Abutbul claimed the man approached police to assist in a fraud investigation, calling it "a crossing of a red line and a serious violation of the commissioner's commitment to the Haredi public." Police disputed this, stating the suspect was wanted by military police. Abutbul also wrote to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, demanding refined procedures for Haredim to file complaints without arrest, warning that current conduct could damage public trust and deter citizens from contacting police.