Clashes erupt between 'Israeli' police, Haredi protesters near Tel Aviv

• Clashes erupted between 'Israeli' police and ultra-Orthodox Haredi protesters near Bnei Brak, leaving three police officers and several demonstrators injured.
• National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir accused the police commissioner of changing his approach toward the Haredi community following the recent elections.

Clashes broke out between 'Israeli' police and ultra-Orthodox Haredi protesters on Highway 4 near Tel Aviv on Thursday, October 29, after police detained several demonstrators suspected of evading mandatory military service.

Three protesters were arrested after a demonstration near Bnei Brak turned violent, leaving three police officers and several demonstrators injured, according to 'Israeli' media reports.

Police declared the demonstration unlawful and ordered protesters to disperse. After they refused, officers used batons, stun grenades, and water cannons to break up the crowds.

Protesters blocked Highway 4, prompting police to close the road in both directions between the Aluf Sadeh and Em Hamoshavot interchanges. Traffic was also disrupted on Jabotinsky Road in Bnei Brak.

The demonstrations later spread to the light rail tracks in Petah Tikva, where police worked to clear the railway lines and restore movement.

Meanwhile, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized Police Commissioner Daniel Levy over the handling of the protests, accusing him of trying to gain favor with the opposition following Tuesday's elections.

"For several days now, the police commissioner has been behaving as though he wants to please the next government, thinking he will win favor with Yair Golan," Ben-Gvir said.

He described the clashes at the Geha Interchange as part of what he called Levy's new approach of "currying favor with leftists."

Ben-Gvir also accused the police commissioner of abruptly changing his approach toward the ultra-Orthodox community after the elections.

"It is regrettable that Levy, who spent a year and a half doing everything I asked of him, is now, the day after the elections, acting unlawfully against the Haredim and turning them into his punching bag," he said.

The clashes come amid continued tensions over mandatory military conscription for ultra-Orthodox men, an increasingly contentious issue in 'Israel', particularly following efforts to enforce recruitment orders against yeshiva students.