Tensions between the police and the ultra-Orthodox sector continue. Severe clashes took place tonight (Sunday) in Bnei Brak: protesters burned cans and planks and blocked main roads for vehicular traffic. Many police forces streamed into the city protected and with batons, and at the same time returned to using stun grenades and tried to disperse the crowd. On the other hand, the ultra-Orthodox threw explosives and fireworks at the police.
Bnei Brak mayor’s vehicle attacked // Photo: Shimon Baruch, field news by telegram
Meanwhile, the past and present mayors of Bnei Brak, Avraham Rubinstein and Hanoch Zeibert, were caught in a demonstration by members of the Jerusalem faction that took place in the city center, and were attacked by a group of demonstrators who shouted insults at them. After an exchange of words and shouts, the winds heated up and degenerated into physical violence, following which the two were forced to flee the scene.
Earlier, an emergency meeting was held in the Bnei Brak municipal building with the participation of MKs from Shas and Torah Judaism following the violent incidents and repeated clashes with police officers.
A bus was killed and stones and sofas were set on fire in the streets: the riots in Bnei Brak // Photo: Shimon Baruch, news from the field by telegram
At the same time, an Egged bus was pelted with stones on Aharonovich Street. When the driver escaped from the bus, boys entered it, causing damage inside the bus and stealing the driver’s equipment.
Protesters damaged the light rail in Jerusalem
A protest against police enforcement was also held in Jerusalem tonight. Police officers were called to the light rail station in the Tribes of Israel following the painting of the train windows and the laying of an obstacle on the track.
Demonstrators vandalize light rail in Jerusalem // Photo: A. Cohen
As a result, the station and the train windows were damaged, and train traffic was delayed until the barrier was cleared. Police officers who arrived at the scene began searching for the suspects.
Citypass, which operates the light rail, reported “heavy damage caused by a group of violent protesters,” saying that “the protesters, who smashed the windows and stations of the stones and threw sticky paint on the carriages, endangered the frightened passengers.” The company said it “strongly condemns the violent and vandalistic attack, and calls on the police to prosecute the rioters.”
A disturbance was also held in Shabbat Square. According to police, the protesters blocked traffic lanes, damaged infrastructure and threw stones at a bus. Police officers who arrived at the scene arrested two people.