The ultra-Orthodox and the police have been in an impossible circular confrontation for nearly a year, both of which seem to be having a hard time dealing with it and the underground currents that accompany it. On both sides are people who are unable to compromise and cannot cope with complexity. We saw the results of this earthquake, for the umpteenth time this year, last night (Friday) in Bnei Brak, and it can be said clearly – this will not be the last time.
As in many other cases, we have seen violations of the guidelines by extremists and police action against them that ended in excessive violence on both sides and anger on the part of the ultra-Orthodox majority. Last time it was in Beitar Illit with the boy a policeman threw a bucket at and a police officer who beat a man for no reason. This time it is passers-by who have been subjected to excessive police violence that has at all begun a completely legitimate action against violators of the law.
Severe clashes between police and residents of Bnei Brak
The absurdity is that by the middle of the week the trend seemed to be completely different. The wedding in Bnei Brak with the participation of hundreds of people, spitting in the face of the state and law-abiding citizens, provoked a huge outrage among the absolute majority of the ultra-Orthodox, who adhere to the corona guidelines with religious piety, just as their masters instructed them. In just one day, there was a significant increase in the number of reports in the sector about violating the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, and it seems that the ultra-Orthodox are finally beginning to condemn widespread conduction of studies, prayers and events at the risk of human life.
We saw the results of this trend at the beginning of the event in Bnei Brak last night. At first, the ultra-Orthodox leaders, including MKs, condemned the fact that extremists act violently against police officers. This is an important change, because in the past we would not see such reactions.
But throughout the night the trend began to reverse. Hard-to-watch videos of police officers caused a great deal of anger in the ultra-Orthodox society, which saw how the fact that it supports state institutions ends in stun grenades in their most important city other than Jerusalem, a real symbol. They saw passersby beaten with batons – a very unusual thing. The remarks were harsh – “Crystal Night”, “Nazis” and a host of other reactions. They may have exaggerated in their responses, but the mood is clear – the observers felt betrayed by those who only two days ago came out in their defense.
The problem is in understanding the ultra-Orthodox street
If for a moment we put aside the ultra-Orthodox interest and the feeling of betrayal, we must honestly say that the police are in an impossible situation. At the beginning of the week, they were furious, even among the ultra-Orthodox, for not doing enough against the extremists. When they finally began to act, there was an uproar against them by those who called on them to take action, alleging police violence and excessive activity against ultra-Orthodox society. How is both possible? A fact that is possible.
The main problem, it seems, is in the understanding of the ultra-Orthodox street. It is said that around every tractor that fixes something on the road in Bnei Brak there is a small crowd – three workers and 200 children and teenagers watching them. A similar occurrence was recorded in some cases yesterday as well. In the absence of school days, and TV or computer, the bored boys heard stun grenades and hurried out to watch. The policemen who saw a crowd in front of them acted without thinking and without understanding, and put all the ultra-Orthodox in one basket – the extremists who did violate the instructions and the spectators who did nothing and a half. Everyone may be wearing suits, but in this case there is a chasm between them.
The police need to understand that in ultra-Orthodox society, action must be taken with determination and sensitivity. Determination, because even among the Lithuanians, for example, they want to act against the extremists. Sensitivity, as any misplaced blow can cause the explosive barrel to explode.
The ultra-Orthodox, for their part, must put an end to the riots and the game for both teams. If you believe that you should not gather and get vaccinated, do not forget this after one video. Remember that the extremists who bring a bad name to the entire sector must be stopped, and as media people in the ultra-Orthodox world have defined it, to stop the silent killers who enter your grocery store every day without any interruption. They are the real enemy – not the police or the state.
Do not judge by the attire
And finally a word to the general public, who watched the pictures from Bnei Brak and was angry again at the “ultra-Orthodox” as one piece. First, do not put different people together just because they are dressed in one color. There are 101 shades in ultra-Orthodox society, and the fact that an extremist from the Jerusalem faction does what he pleases – says nothing about a follower in Gur Hasidism who has been following the guidelines as they have been for a year.
Second, ask yourself the following question – would you be willing for the police to throw stun grenades in your neighborhood or city without account and without accountability? Would you be willing to accept a situation where your child would go down to the street to see what the fuss was about and would be beaten to death by a police officer who does not care who he is and what he is? The answer to these questions is no, and therefore the ultra-Orthodox rage in this case is completely justified and legitimate. The law of Bnei Brak is the law of Tel Aviv – both regarding the observance of the guidelines and the enforcement of their violation.