Protesters block Ayalon highway as Israel's 'Day of Resistance' continues

Hundreds of protesters blocked the Ayalon highway in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening, lighting bonfires and marching down the highway.

Police were operating in the area.

161 Air Force control officer reservists announced on Tuesday evening that they were stopping their volunteer reserve service, effective immediately, due to the government's planned judicial reform.

Protesters marched in central Tel Aviv and near the High Court of Justice in Jerusalem on Tuesday evening as part of the "National Day of Resistance."

Protesters also blocked parts of Highway 6 and Highway 4.

Protesters against the government's judicial reform plan intend to march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem starting Tuesday night.

The march will set off from Democracy Square on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv at 8:30 p.m. and then head to Jerusalem, marching during the evening in the early morning in order to avoid the heatwave currently hitting Israel.

The participants will sleep outside along the way.

The march was initiated by Prof. Shikma Bresler and Moshe Redman, leaders of the anti-reform protest movements, as well as Ran Harnevo, the founder of the Tikva intiative, and Ami Dror, one of the leaders of the hi-tech protest.

The organizers stated that the "spontaneous" march is intended to create pressure against the "dictatorial intentions of the Israeli government," and invited anyone who opposes the reform to take part in the march.

Trains across the country were halted due to a technical malfunction, according to announcements made at train stations. It is unclear when train service will return or how wide-reaching the malfunction is.

Demonstrations were held across Israel on Tuesday as part of a "National Day of Resistance" against the government's judicial reform plan, with protesters disrupting train service and attempting to block roads.

A number of roads were temporarily blocked on Tuesday morning, although police quickly cleared them stressing that they would "continue to allow freedom of expression and protest within the limits of the law, but will not allow the violation of public order, the disruption of traffic regulations, and endangering drivers."

At least 22 protesters were arrested as of Tuesday afternoon on suspicion of disturbing the peace, according to Israel Police.

During a protest on Highway 4 at the HaOgen junction, a protester broke a flag pole on a police officer's head while being detained for disturbing the peace.

A person riding a scooter was arrested under suspicion of assaulting a protester in Tel Aviv, according to police.

Hundreds surrounded the Rabbinical Building on King David Street in Tel Aviv as part of the “Day of Disruption” protests against the judicial reform. Horns blared, whistles blew and chants bellowed as the latest attempts to subvert the Supreme Court continued. 

The outlook of the protests is uncertain as the Knesset heads into summer break on July 30. 

Protestors against the judicial reforms are attempting to "brainwash" Israeli civilians as part of a "campaign against the government," Finance Minister and Religious Zionist Party chairman Bezalel Smotrich said in a statement on Tuesday, at the start of a "Day of Resistance" against the controversial reasonableness standard bill, which is set to pass into law on Sunday.

"Today, when again you will be brainwashed as part of a campaign against the government, remember to differentiate between many civilians who are concerned, worried, of who, we are aware of their distress and for them we stopped the general process, in order to proceed with very measured steps while calling for broad agreements; and a vocal band that the media blows out of proportion, who does no call for agreements, does not call for dialogue, but rather want to subjugate the 2.4 million voters of the current coalition," the finance minister said.

Police announced that all intercity roads have been opened to traffic despite Tuesday's Day of Resistance protests against the government's planned judicial reform.

Nevertheless, there was heavy traffic in the Rishon Lezion-Ness Ziona area, as well as throughout the Ayalon Highway stretching through central Israel. There was also heavy traffic between Netanya and Hadera. 

Multiple protests began throughout Israel early on Tuesday morning as part of the "National Day of Resistance" against the government's planned judicial reforms, with 17 arrested so far and one 40-year-old woman injured.

The woman was injured on Highway 531 near Ra'anana by a vehicle. MDA paramedics arrived at the scene to provide her with medical treatment and evacuated her to Rabin Medical Center in critical condition. The driver of the car that collided with the woman has been taken by police for questioning.