Haredi protesters block Jerusalem entrance over Shabbat bus services

Dozens of Haredi protesters blocked the entrance to Jerusalem near Weizmann Boulevard before nightfall on Saturday, protesting the arrival of buses operating on Shabbat from northern Israel. As a result of the blockade, at least 13 buses were stopped, and the road was closed for a period. The protesters lifted the blockade after the conclusion of the Sabbath. According to reports, these bus routes operate under a longstanding status quo and drop off passengers outside the Central Bus Station. During the protest, demonstrators focused on blocking the buses, while most private vehicles were able to bypass the area. Police stated that reinforced forces were dispatched to the scene to disperse the protesters and restore traffic flow, directing vehicles to alternative routes. Meanwhile, similar protests against public transportation operating on Shabbat are continuing in the city of Tzfat. In Bnei Brak, the placement of containers at the entrance to a supermarket complex on Friday sparked controversy; police removed the barriers and summoned the truck driver for questioning, while the Bnei Brak Municipality denied ordering the placement of the containers.