Ultra-Orthodox protest rally against IDF conscription shuts down access to Jerusalem, with major roads and train service being halted

The ultra-Orthodox “million man rally” against conscription to the IDF will be held today, Thursday, with Israeli authorities expecting significant disruption to traffic and public transportation.

The main highway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv will blocked off by police for several hours, with significant road closures in the western side of Jerusalem also announced. Police issued recommendations on Wednesday that the public avoid the areas, and use alternate routes if necessary. 

Due to the anticipated disruptions, the Jerusalem Municipality and the Ministry of Transportation issued an announcement of changes in public transportation on various platforms, and recommended that the public follow route updates on the transportation apps. 

Many in the ultra-Orthodox community were incensed to learn that the police ordered closures of the train service to and from Jerusalem during the protest rally. After complaints by the Israel Railways over a police order to limit the number of people per car on the train, the decision was made to cancel the train service during the rally. As a result, the main Jerusalem train station, Yitzhak Navon, will be closed starting at 12:30 p.m., and remain so until the end of the rally. 

Police cited safety concerns, as the station is located in the heart of the protest area. The railway officials had previously complained that the police did not give any formal instructions regarding changes or security during the rally. 

According to Ynet News, several railway officials told them “the police want us to limit the number of passengers per train and keep operating as usual, but that’s impossible. It’s the police’s job to manage the crowds, and they’re avoiding it.” 

Many of those in the Haredi community who plan to attend the protest rally do not live in the Jerusalem area, and after the announcement of the train closure, it is anticipated that they will use chartered busses to reach the city. 

Inside Jerusalem, many residents and businesses are upset at the closures and the disruption, which is expected to lead to a loss of revenue for many businesses in the city. According to Channel 7 News, an advertising company owned by a businessman in the Religious Zionism community released a note to clients blasting the closures. 

"Our dear clients, for the first time in 20 years of operation, our offices will be closed tomorrow due to the 'Million' demonstration that is taking place in the vicinity of the office. Yes, my business, which suffered due to my reserve service of more than 450 days of reserve duty, will be closed tomorrow so that the dodgers can demonstrate calmly and make sure that in the coming years they will not carry the burden with me and my friends,” the statement read. 

The rally, which represents a rare moment of unity between the various ultra-Orthodox factions, including those from the Ashkenazi and Sephardic communities, is only expected to draw around 500,000 protesters, despite its name. The Haredi groups are protesting the arrests of ultra-Orthodox men who chose not to respond to draft orders issued by the IDF. 

While several ultra-Orthodox politicians had previously expressed a willingness to accept drafting of eligible Haredi men who did not attend yeshiva, many of the rabbinical leaders objected, telling the men to burn, or throw away the draft orders. 

The issue of equal burden has become a hot button issue in Israeli society, especially after the two-year Gaza war, which saw many reservists serving multiple, extended duties due to lack of sufficient manpower. As a result, there is broad public consensus that the ultra-Orthodox should share in the conscription burden with the rest of the population, or lose government benefits. 

The coalition government, which contained several ultra-Orthodox parties, has been unable to pass a draft law which is suitable for the Haredi community and the rest of the coalition partners. The coalition hopes to pass a new version of the law in the December Knesset session.