Chareidi Protesters Block Highway 4 After Yeshiva Bochur Detained and Transferred to Military Police
Eretz Yisrael — Dozens of Chareidi protesters gathered outside the Kfar Saba police station on Wednesday, October 21, after a yeshiva bochur was detained and transferred to military police custody over his military-service status.
The incident sparked demonstrations near the police station and at the Ra'anana Junction along Highway 4, where protesters blocked traffic and confronted police officers attempting to clear the roadway.
According to Chareidi media reports, the bochur, a talmid at Yeshivas Torah BeTifartah in Elad, had been involved in a traffic-related incident the previous day and was instructed to report to the Kfar Saba police station.
During the handling of his case, authorities discovered that he was listed as having failed to comply with military enlistment requirements. He was subsequently transferred to the Military Police.
News of the detention spread quickly through the Chareidi community, prompting an alert through the "Tzeva Shachor" notification system, which mobilized protesters to the police station.
Within a short time, dozens of demonstrators arrived in an attempt to prevent the bochur's transfer. However, he had already been handed over to military authorities.
The protest subsequently expanded to nearby roads, including Highway 4, where demonstrators sat on the roadway and blocked passing vehicles.
Police declared the demonstration unlawful and deployed officers to disperse the crowds, redirect traffic, and reopen the affected roads.
Footage circulating from the scene shows police officers confronting demonstrators, with several protesters seen seated or lying on the pavement as officers attempted to remove them.
According to reports, efforts were underway to secure the detained bochur's release, with attorney Shlomo Hadad assisting in the matter.
The incident comes amid continued tensions surrounding the detention of yeshiva bochurim over military-service requirements, which have prompted demonstrations in several locations across Eretz Yisrael in recent days.