Ultra-Orthodox threaten to disrupt Jerusalem Marathon

An ultra-Orthodox group has threatened to disrupt Friday’s Jerusalem Marathon as part of ongoing protests over the arrest of a draft-dodging yeshiva student, Channel 2 News reported.

Police were gearing up to prevent the protest by followers of Rabbi Shmuel Auerbach who have repeatedly come into conflict with authorities over the issue, the Thursday night TV report said.

Many in the ultra-Orthodox community shun the mandatory military service that applies to most Israelis, and the community has historically enjoyed blanket exemptions in favor of religious seminary studies. However, a group of ultra-Orthodox, followers of Auerbach refuse to even appear at the recruiting office to request such exemptions.

One such student, Yisrael Meir Toledano , was arrested on Sunday night at his home in Ofakim. On Tuesday a military court ruled to extend his remand until Thursday. Toledano is a student at the Meirat Shemua Yeshiva.

On Wednesday, nine people were detained in Jerusalem as hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews blocked traffic in Jerusalem and at exchanges elsewhere in the country.

Hundreds of police, border guards and ushers will fan out along the route of the seventh international marathon in which 30,000 runners — more than 3,500 of them from 65 countries — will take part.

Roads will be closed from the early morning and traffic police will be on hand to divert drivers to alternative routes.

Jerusalem’s marathon follows a similar event held annually in Tel Aviv.