Highway 4 was closed in both directions from 4 p.m. until approximately 9 p.m. on Thursday due to a haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protest in Bnei Brak, Israel Police confirmed.
A police officer at the scene declared the demonstration illegal, Israel Police confirmed. Protesters at the scene shouted chants towards the police officers, including calling them "antisemites," police added.
The closure affected the highway between the Aluf Sade Interchange, south of Ramat Gan, and the Em Hamoshavot Interchange, north of Bnei Brak, police added.
At least one officer was wounded after being hit in the head by a bottle. Protesters also threw rocks and other objects at police officers, Israel Police said. In addition, protesters smashed the window of at least one private vehicle.
Police arrested at least two protesters throughout the incident.
Video footage seen by The Jerusalem Post appears to show haredi protesters sitting in the highway blocking cars, buses, and other vehicles from being able to pass at Highway 4's Geha Interchange.
The footage also shows Israel Police and Border Police officers at the scene.
The protesters continued to block the highway despite police requesting that they move, Israel Police said.
The police advised the public to seek alternative routes, noting that additional traffic will likely occur on adjacent highways.
Meanwhile, social activist Lee Hoffman Agiv led a counter-demonstration calling for an end to "exclusion of women and gender segregation."
Ultra-Orthodox protesters tear banner from social activist's hands, she says
Haredim at the scene tore Hoffman Agiv's banner from her hands while shouting insults at her, she said.
"This violence is the direct result of the incitement and segregation that they are trying to dictate to us. They can tear down signs, but they will not succeed in silencing us. The battle for public space is not a 'recommendation,' it is the struggle for the face of Israel. We will not back down," Hoffman Agiv added.
Additionally, a second protest on Thursday evening attracted thousands of haredim outside Military Prison 10 in Beit Lid due to the arrest of a haredi draft dodger.
Alon Hachmon contributed to this report.