Jerusalem Riots: Elderly Arab Man Attacked, Border Police Officer Injured

Violent riots erupted in Jerusalem early Tuesday morning following celebrations for the "Hilula" of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, leading to the arrest of 11 individuals. The disturbances, which began around 3 a.m. in the area of Chaim Bar-Lev and Zak Street, escalated into a physical assault on an elderly Arab man near the Damascus Gate. Video footage shows dozens of young men, dressed in Haredi attire, chasing the man. As he fell to the ground, several individuals were seen kicking him. A voice in the video can be heard saying, "They're messing with some Arab here, I can't believe it." The victim managed to escape and was later treated for minor injuries.

The rioters also blocked traffic and the light rail line, throwing stones at civilians and security forces. They damaged municipal vehicles and stole one, abandoning it later. A female Border Police officer sustained a head injury from a thrown bottle and was evacuated for medical treatment, her condition described as mild.

Police deployed a water cannon and stun grenades to disperse the crowds. "This is serious conduct by lawbreakers who came with the intention of causing damage, vandalism, and attacking security forces and civilians," the police stated. "We will not accept violent riots and will act by all means to locate additional involved parties and prosecute them and those arrested at the scene."

The riots occurred near the main celebration site for the "Hilula," an annual pilgrimage commemorating the death of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. Despite orders to disperse the illegal gathering early on, rioters continued their confrontations in nearby streets.