Jerusalem Train Station Closure Sparks Uproar Ahead of Mass Conscription Protest

Tensions are rising ahead of Thursday’s mass ultra-Orthodox prayer rally in Jerusalem, as Israel Railways announced it will shut down Yitzhak Navon Station the city’s main rail terminal due to security concerns. The move has triggered fierce backlash from political and religious leaders, including Shas party chairman Arye Deri, who is demanding National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir intervene immediately.

The mass gathering is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews protesting mandatory IDF conscription, a deeply sensitive issue in Israeli society. With Yitzhak Navon Station closed, organizers fear that tens of thousands of attendees could be left stranded, creating gridlock across the country and heightening tensions at an already charged event.

“This decision will cause tens of thousands to be stranded across the country and block intersections,” Deri warned. “It is illegitimate and prevents a huge public from reaching the rally and praying. Ben-Gvir must act immediately to find a solution.”

Israel Railways defended the closure in a public statement, citing the station’s “central location within the rally” and the need “to ensure public safety.” All other train stations and routes will operate normally, it added.

But Deri later revealed that the decision to shut the station wasn’t made by Israel Railways alone it came at the directive of the police. He contacted Ben-Gvir directly, urging the National Security Minister to reverse the move and ensure freedom of access to the protest site.

Others echoed Deri’s criticism. MK Yisrael Eichler reached out to both Ben-Gvir and Transportation Minister Miri Regev, arguing that limiting train access is a safety hazard, not a safety measure. “Train services should be allowed to operate as scheduled for the public’s safety,” Eichler said. “We’ve seen protests near the Knesset where trains operated without disruption. Why should this be different?”

MK Meir Porush is also engaged in urgent discussions with rally organizers and senior police officials in Jerusalem to explore alternatives that would allow Yitzhak Navon Station to remain open, at least in limited capacity.

As the city braces for a massive influx of demonstrators, logistical concerns are becoming central to what is shaping up to be one of the largest ultra-Orthodox protests in Israel’s history. The rally reflects long-simmering opposition to efforts to enforce military conscription among the Haredi population an issue many see as a threat to their religious autonomy.

At stake is more than just one day of disruption. The closure decision and the political scramble to reverse it highlight the ongoing friction between Israel’s religious sectors and state institutions a clash over identity, duty, and the meaning of equality in a Jewish democratic state.

The eyes of the nation will be on Jerusalem this Thursday. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for live updates and analysis on one of the most pivotal debates in Israeli society today.