Shas MK Moshe Abutbul described the draft dodger as a "yeshiva guy" who approached the police to assist in an ongoing investigation, demanding that such procedures be changed to avoid arrests.

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) demonstrators blocked Highway 4 near Bnei Brak on Wednesday in protest against the detention of a draft dodger, according to N12 News, with the Israel Police declaring the demonstration illegal later on Wednesday.

Footage released by N12 later showed the demonstrators leaving the highway and heading into Bnei Brak.

Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman commented on the protests in an X/Twitter post later on Wednesday, saying that the demonstrators will make "great soldiers" if they can "block roads in this heat."

"After October 27, they won't have time for blockades - they'll be busy putting on uniforms!" he added.

According to Ynet, the suspect was initially summoned by Lahav 433 for questioning, whereupon he was transferred to the military police once it became apparent that he was a draft dodger.

Israel Police officers attempt to disperse an illegal haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protest blocking traffic on Highway 4, August 12, 2026. (credit: Israel Police Spokesperson)

Shas MK Moshe Abutbul claimed that the man had approached police to "assist" in an ongoing fraud investigation, having contacted Police Commissioner Insp.-Gen. Danny Levi regarding the incident.

"This is a crossing of a red line and a serious violation of the commissioner's commitment to the Haredi public," said Abutbul. "This is not how you build trust. This is how you destroy it."

Abutbul described the man as a "yeshiva guy," with police disputing the MK's version of events, noting that the suspect would not have been transferred to the military police if he was simply someone coming to give testimony, Ynet reported.

"The suspect was summoned for questioning with a warning at Lahav 433 for serious criminal offenses," police said in a statement. "Upon learning that the suspect was wanted by the military police, a report was submitted as is customary and required."

"Any other publication is incorrect and intended to reinforce a biased and false narrative," police added.

In a letter to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Abutbul demanded that the procedures for haredim to file complaints with the police be refined to avoid such situations.

"Their (police) procedures need to be refined immediately and clearly to allow haredim to file complaints at police stations without being arrested," wrote Abutbul. "Continuing such conduct could seriously damage public trust in the police, and cause citizens to avoid contacting them when necessary, which could cost lives."

The protest comes as the latest demonstration against attempts to draft haredim into the IDF and the arrests of those who refuse their draft orders, with the issue central to the coming elections in October.