Heavy traffic expected as extremist Haredim set to block central Israel highways at rush hour

Ultra-Orthodox men from an extreme sect gear up to block highways in central Israel during rush hour today, protesting recent arrests of draft dodgers.

The demonstrators, from an even more extreme group within the extreme Jerusalem Faction, are set to block Route 4 from Aluf Sade interchange until Em HaMoshavot interchange, and the Israel Police says heavy traffic is expected in both directions starting around now.

Protests and road blocking are also predicted to occur near Jabotinsky Road in Bnei Brak.

Police recommend that drivers use alternative routes and say cops are being deployed, adding that the force won’t allow the demonstrators to break the law.

Later, at 8 p.m., and more to the north, some 2,000 men from the Sanz Hasidic sect will hold a rally near the Neve Tzedek Military Prison to protest the arrest of two draft evaders from the community.

A law to halt the arrests of draft dodgers passed this week, but the High Court has frozen the legislation pending a decision on its legality.