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A turbulent demonstration against the arrests of yeshiva bochurim brought traffic on Highway 4 near Bnei Brak to a standstill for approximately three hours Wednesday, with some protesters wearing yellow stars and others displaying signs featuring graphic Holocaust imagery.

The protest was organized by members of the Peleg Yerushalmi in response to the ongoing arrests of yeshiva bochurim over their failure to report for military service. Demonstrators highlighted the latest case involving a yeshiva bochur classified as a draft evader who was transferred from the Lahav 433 police unit to military prison.

Hundreds of protesters gathered near the entrance to Bnei Brak and moved onto Highway 4, blocking traffic and prompting a large police response.

During the demonstration, some participants wore yellow stars bearing the Hebrew word “Chareidi,” deliberately evoking the yellow badges that Jews were forced to wear under Nazi rule during the Holocaust.

Other demonstrators carried signs comparing the current draft controversy to the Holocaust. One sign, displayed in both Hebrew and English alongside graphic photographs of Nazis leading Jews to their deaths, declared, “It is preferable to die in the Holocaust as a Jew than to convert in IDF camps.”

The use of Holocaust imagery and yellow stars became one of the most striking features of the demonstration as protesters continued blocking the major highway for several hours.

Following the dispersal of the protest, Israel Police announced that Highway 4 had reopened in both directions.

“Israel Police operated in recent hours in an effort to maintain public order, following protesters who blocked Highway 4, disturbed the peace and confronted police officers at the scene. Highway 4 has now been reopened to traffic in both directions,” police said.

Authorities described the gathering as an illegal demonstration and accused participants of endangering themselves and disrupting motorists traveling through the area.

“During an illegal demonstration held on Highway 4, near the city of Bnei Brak, hundreds of protesters confronted police officers, endangered their lives, physically blocked vehicles and infringed upon the freedom of movement of road users,” police said.

Police said an officer formally declared the demonstration illegal, but protesters refused instructions to clear the roadway and continued blocking traffic with their bodies.

“During the demonstration, a police officer declared the protest illegal, but the protesters did not obey the officers’ instructions, continued disturbing the public order and blocked the roads with their bodies. A short time ago, the demonstration was dispersed and the road was reopened to traffic. Israel Police views the right to protest as a cornerstone of a democratic state and permits protests as long as they are conducted within the framework of the law. At the same time, police will not permit disturbances of any kind or infringements upon freedom of movement, and will not tolerate behavior that could endanger public safety.”

The demonstration ultimately dispersed after approximately three hours, allowing traffic to resume on Highway 4 following an afternoon of major disruptions near Bnei Brak.

{Matzav.com}

A heartbreaking tragedy struck the chareidi community in Yerushalayim on Wednesday with the passing of 3-year-old Yael Rivka Betzalel a”h, who succumbed after battling for her life for two weeks following a choking incident at her family’s home in Ramot.

Yael Rivka choked while eating a grape approximately two weeks ago. Emergency medical personnel, including paramedics and EMTs from United Hatzalah and Magen David Adom, rushed to the family’s home and immediately began prolonged, advanced resuscitation efforts.

During the lifesaving attempts, a paramedic succeeded in removing the grape that had become lodged in the young girl’s airway.

Yael Rivka was subsequently rushed to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in extremely serious condition while resuscitation efforts continued. She was sedated and placed on a ventilator as doctors fought to save her life.

For the next two weeks, physicians in the intensive care unit battled for the life of the young girl, the daughter of Yitzchak and Chana Betzalel. Family members and members of the broader community davened fervently for her recovery.

Tragically, her condition deteriorated Wednesday and doctors were ultimately forced to pronounce her passing.

The devastating loss comes at an especially painful time for the Betzalel family, just one week before the scheduled wedding of Yael Rivka’s older sister.

Instead of preparing to accompany their daughter to her chuppah amid celebration and joy, the family was forced to accompany their 3-year-old daughter and sister to her final resting place.

The levayah departed from the Shamgar Funeral Home in Yerushalayim and proceeded to Har Hamenuchos, where Yael Rivka was laid to rest in the Yemenite section.

Yehi zichrah baruch.

{Matzav.com}