BATTLEFORWORLD.COM | June 18, 2026: Israeli police clashed with Haredi Jews who were blocking a major highway near Tel Aviv in protest over the arrest of a draft dodger from the ultra-Orthodox community. This led to dozens of protesters blocking traffic in both directions on Route 4 east of Tel Aviv early on Wednesday, sitting on the road and crawling under vehicles as law enforcement rushed into action to dislodge them. The Israeli police deployed a varieties of weapons, ranging from stun grenades and batons, against the demonstrators, footage from the scene shows.

The video footage shows law enforcement officers dragging ultra-Orthodox protesters off the road by their clothing, with several people having their pants ripped off in the process. At least five protesters were detained at the scene, while around eight suffered minor injuries during the altercation.

The Jerusalem Faction, one of the groups behind the protest, strongly condemned the actions of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s police, accusing them of “selective enforcement” and “humiliating and unrestrained violence” against the Haredi community, the news outlet reports. The group also pledge to bring the issue to the High Court of Justice should “this unacceptable conduct” continue.

Photo shows law enforcement officers dragging ultra-Orthodox protesters

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