Ultra-Orthodox protesters block Israel's Highway 4, call police 'antisemites,' injure one officer

Ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked Highway 4 in Bnei Brak, Israel, for approximately five hours on Thursday, July 16, 2026, leading to the closure of the highway in both directions. The demonstration, declared illegal by police, involved protesters shouting chants like "antisemites" at officers and throwing rocks and bottles, injuring at least one officer in the head. Police arrested two individuals. Concurrently, social activist Lee Hoffman Agiv held a counter-demonstration against gender segregation, during which her banner was torn by ultra-Orthodox protesters. She stated, "They can tear down signs, but they will not succeed in silencing us." Additionally, thousands of ultra-Orthodox individuals protested outside Military Prison 10 in Beit Lid over the arrest of a draft dodger.