Tel aviv: Ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters blocked major roads in central Israel on Thursday, causing significant traffic disruptions in a continuation of protests against mandatory military conscription, as reported by Israeli media.

According to Anadolu Agency, the demonstrators obstructed Highways 1, 4, and 6, which are crucial routes linking Tel Aviv and west Jerusalem. This action followed the arrest of several Haredi protesters last week who attempted to storm the home of Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Solberg. The protests are in opposition to the conscription of yeshiva students.

The protests also extended to the railway network, with demonstrators disrupting train services by entering the tracks, leading to partial paralysis of the system. Medical sources and media reports indicated that injuries occurred among the protesters when police intervened to clear the roads.

Social media footage shared by Yedioth Ahronoth depicted occasional clashes between protesters and civilians on the obstructed roads. The disruptions also indirectly affected access to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv due to the train delays and severe traffic congestion.

A day earlier, similar protests in West Jerusalem saw Haredi protesters clash with Israeli police officers. The recent wave of demonstrations began after Israeli police arrested 65 Haredi Jews who attempted to storm Solberg's home in the illegal settlement of Alon Shvut, protesting the conscription of religious seminary students.

The Haredi community has been protesting military service following a June 25, 2024, Israeli Supreme Court ruling that mandated their conscription and halted funding for religious institutions whose students refuse military service. Senior rabbis, whose guidance holds significant influence within the Haredi community, have consistently urged followers to reject military service and discard draft notices.

Comprising about 13% of Israel's population of 10 million, many in the Haredi community oppose military service, citing their commitment to Torah study and concerns that integration into secular society threatens their religious identity and way of life.

This conscription dispute arises as Israel continues to mobilize thousands of reservists amid ongoing military operations and escalating tensions across various fronts, including Lebanon, Iran, the Gaza Strip, and the occupied West Bank.