Haredi protesters set road blocks at Jerusalem entrance roads, disrupting traffic into city

Traffic was disrupted at the entrance to Jerusalem on Saturday evening after Haredi protesters set up a series of roadblocks, police said.Follow us on GoogleUltra-Orthodox Jews protest against the drafting of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem, January 11, 2026; illustrative.(photo credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)AUGUST 29, 2026 19:55Updated: AUGUST 29, 2026 20:42Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) protesters set up a series of roadblocks at the entrance to Jerusalem on Saturday evening, blocking traffic for nearly two hours before police dispersed the demonstration, according to a police statement.According to police, "Following the blockade at the entrance to Jerusalem, the protesters have left the area, and traffic has returned to normal."Officers have remained on scene to "ensure the continued flow of traffic."Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Adir Schwartz, chairman of the Awakening Movement, condemned the roadblocks, saying the protest had crossed a red line."What is happening now at the entrance to Jerusalem is crossing a red line. No one can decide to close the city by blocking roads and threats," Schwartz said."The liberal public in Jerusalem will not give in and will not disappear. We will continue to come to the city, spend time there and live there even on Shabbat, because Jerusalem belongs to all of us."Deputy Mayor Adir Schwarz attends the signing of a housing framework agreement at Jerusalem City Hall in Jerusalem, December 15, 2025. (credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)Schwartz says intimidation won't work Schwartz added that attempts to turn Jerusalem into a city closed on Shabbat through pressure and intimidation would fail."Jerusalem will allow everyone to spend Shabbat as they see fit, and the Zionist and liberal public will continue to be here, in the public space and in open businesses," he said."I expect the Israel Police to act with the same determination as we saw they know how to do in the alley cafe," Schwartz added.Follow us on Google