Clashes Break Out at Ultra-Orthodox Protests in Arad and Ashdod

Violent scenes erupted on Wednesday during ultra-Orthodox protests in Arad and Ashdod. In Arad, one video showed a passerby confronting a protester and hitting him, after which another protester joined in and the incident escalated into a brawl. Police said they were working to restore order.

A separate clip from the middle of a residential neighborhood in Arad showed dozens of teenagers surrounding protesters from the Gur Hasidic group. The footage showed shouting and disorder, while police were not seen intervening to separate those involved.

At the same time in Ashdod, protesters were filmed blocking a bus carrying soldiers and confronting them around the vehicle. The demonstrations were part of wider protests held today at several locations across the country.

Southern District police said they were operating in Arad after a report of a fight near a residential complex. Police and Border Police forces that were dispatched to the scene said they were working to maintain public order and prevent further violence. During the protests, United Torah Judaism lawmakers warned of escalation. Yitzhak Goldknopf said, "We will not allow Torah learners to be arrested in the Land of Israel, we will continue these protests until they stop harming Torah learners." Meir Porush said the situation had worsened compared with two or three years ago and added, "If there are more arrests, there will be worse things." Yisrael Beytenu chairman Benny Gantz said, "The Netanyahu legacy, the non-working and non-serving public is paralyzing the state and shutting down the working and serving sector, at the end of the workday. This will soon end. The next government will act according to the national interests of the State of Israel, not according to the interests of Deri, Gafni and Goldknopf."