Dozens of ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked Israel's Route 4 highway near the Yavne Interchange during Sunday's rush hour, in protest at the arrest of yeshiva students who had refused to enlist in the army, the Times of Israel reported. Footage showed drivers scuffling with demonstrators sitting in the road, and officers reportedly used stun grenades to clear them. Police said the highway reopened after about two hours, and no arrests or injuries were reported.
The protest followed the weekend arrest of two students sentenced to 20 days in military prison for failing to enlist, and was reportedly organised by the hardline Jerusalem Faction. Military service for Haredi men has become a central issue ahead of Israel's election on 27 October, and opposition leaders blamed the government for the unrest.
Source: The Times of Israel
