Chareidi Draft Protest Temporarily Shuts Down Yerushalayim Light Rail

Chareidi Draft Protest Temporarily Shuts Down Yerushalayim Light Rail

Dozens of young chareidim, many dressed in Shabbos clothing and wearing shtreimlach, blocked the Yerushalayim Light Rail tracks on Motzoei Shabbos in protest of the military draft of bnei yeshivah, temporarily disrupting train service in the capital. The demonstration took place near the Chaim Bar-Lev and Shivtei Yisrael intersection, where protesters sat on the tracks, prompting police to suspend train operations along part of the route. Following police instructions, service between the Givat HaMivtar and City Hall stations was temporarily halted, while trains continued operating on a partial schedule between City Hall and Hadassah Ein Kerem, and separately between Givat HaMivtar and Neve Yaakov. The light rail operator issued a statement explaining the service disruption. “Due to a demonstration in the Shivtei Yisrael area, and in accordance with police instructions, light rail service has been suspended between Givat HaMivtar and City Hall stations. Trains are operating on a partial schedule between City Hall and Hadassah Ein Kerem, and between Givat HaMivtar and Neve Yaakov. Once the tracks are cleared, full service along the entire L1 line (Hadassah Ein Kerem–Neve Yaakov) will resume.” Approximately 30 minutes later, the tracks were cleared and normal operations resumed throughout the L1 line. The operator later announced, “Dear passengers, light rail service has resumed its regular schedule along the entire L1 line (Hadassah Ein Kerem–Neve Yaakov). We thank you for your patience and apologize for the inconvenience.” {Matzav.com}