Public patience snaps as lawful counter-pressure emerges to end repeated highway disruptions undermining national cohesion.
Residents of cities neighboring Bnei Brak are organizing a counter-protest in response to months of haredi demonstrations against conscription of yeshiva students—demonstrations that have frequently paralyzed Route 4 (Geha Highway).
Organizers say the new initiative will involve intentionally slow driving near Bnei Brak’s access roads, particularly on Fridays, to apply public pressure on the haredi community to halt recurring road blockages. A flyer circulated by organizers states: “There is only one way to stop the blocking of the Geha Highway—block Bnei Brak on Friday by driving slowly on the access roads.”
The organizers emphasize that the protest will remain within the law and that they are coordinating with Israel Police. According to them, police clarified that as long as the demonstration is lawful, it will not be prevented. “We are no longer suckers,” the organizers said, adding that the goal is to compel internal community pressure to prevent future disruptions.
The planned action is expected to significantly worsen traffic in Bnei Brak, especially on Fridays—already peak congestion days due to early winter Shabbat times. Public transportation in the area, which connects heavily to haredi population centers such as Jerusalem, Modi’in Illit, Beit Shemesh, and Elad, could face major disruptions.
The counter-protest reflects mounting frustration among residents who say repeated highway blockades have crossed a red line—impacting workers, families, and national mobility. While the debate over conscription remains politically sensitive, organizers argue that public infrastructure cannot be held hostage and that lawful civic pressure is the only remaining tool to restore order and fairness.
