Violent attacks reported after ultra-Orthodox protest convoy on Route 1

Several violent incidents were reported on Wednesday during and after an ultra-Orthodox protest convoy on Route 1, the main road between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. In the evening, video showed an angry driver attacking a car carrying ultra-Orthodox demonstrators on the highway toward Tel Aviv, breaking its side mirror and trying to reach the passengers. Other protesters gathered at the scene, and police intervened to stop the brawl.

The police said Border Police officers from the Mateh Yehuda station were dispatched to Route 1 after reports of a fight and crowding around the incident. “The officers acted quickly to separate those involved and restore public order,” the police said. According to the initial police check, the victim is a resident of Beit Shemesh, and the suspect is a resident of Rishon LeZion who will be summoned later Wednesday for questioning.

The violent evening followed earlier incidents during the same convoy. One clip, published by the protest spokespersons, showed a civilian allegedly drawing a gun toward ultra-Orthodox protesters near Route 1. The group called it an “attempted murder threat” and urged police to act immediately against “the inciters and the incited.” No shots were fired.

Earlier in the day, Deputy Mayor of Beitar Illit and Haredi faction chairman Gedaliah Eisenstein was reportedly assaulted during a convoy from Beitar Illit. Witnesses said a man rammed his vehicle into Eisenstein’s car and then choked him. Another incident involved a truck driver who got out near Ayalon highways, charged at a convoy vehicle from Bnei Brak with a knife and clubs, and struck the car and windows while passengers called police. The article says police were contacted in real time and were expected to detain the attacker.