Ultra-Orthodox Jews block central Israel highways, protest outside military prison

Haredi protesters have frequently posted outside of Beit Lid base due to the military prison within the base.

Multiple intersections were closed to traffic due to mass ultra-Orthodox protests against the conscription of haredim into the IDF, Israel Police stated on Wednesday.

Highways 6, 4, and 2 were blocked, and an additional protest took place on Highway 57 outside of Beit Lid army base, where the military prison is located.

While all highways have since been cleared iof protesters, there is still heavy traffic in the areas, and Israel Police has requested the public refrain from using these roads.

The protesters reportedly deceived police by spreading rumors of a demonstration that would occur outside Prison 10, but the protesters went to Israel’s main highways instead.

Bnei Brak’s Jabotinsky completely shut down

Bnei Brak‘s Jabotinsky street was blocked in its entirety due to the illegal gathering, from Ben-Gurion Junction to Geha Junction, for several hours before police cleared the protesters.

Israel Police order ultra-Orthodox protesters in Bnei Brak to disperse, August 20, 2025.(CREDIT: ISRAEL POLICE)

“The authorities are crossing all red lines and throwing Torah scholars into military prison for the crime of studying Torah. The sons of Torah are responding with an all-out war,” the protest organiers wrote in a message that was distributed in ultra-Orthodox circles.

“Today this is the first stage in a limitless campaign against the oppressive persecution of Torah students in the Land of Israel. The sons of Torah make clear today: you have declared war on Torah students – you will get war.”