Herdi protesters affiliated with Rabbi Zvi Friedman's extreme subfaction of the Jerusalem Faction gathered in central Israel on Wednesday to protest the arrest of a draft evader.
The demonstrators blocked Route 4 in both directions from the Aluf Sadeh Interchange to the Em Hamoshavot Interchange. The police noted that there is a possibility of traffic on Jabotinsky Road in Bnei Brak as well.
At the time of reporting, only a few dozen protesters were participating in the demonstration.
The police stated that "a police commander declared the demonstration unlawful ahead of the use of force and riot dispersal measures. Israel Police officers are at the scene and are directing traffic to alternate routes."
The demonstrators are protesting the arrest of a yeshiva student who supposedly arrived to provide testimony at the Lahav 433 investigation bureau and was handed over to the military police.
The police denied the claims and emphasized: "The suspect was summoned for questioning under caution by Lahav 433 for serious criminal offenses. Upon learning that the suspect was wanted by the military police, a report was submitted as is customary and required."