Police Criticized for Lack of Preparedness During Haredi Protests
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Haredi protests against draft dodger arrests caused widespread chaos on Highway 4 and in Jerusalem on Thursday, with police facing criticism for failing to prepare despite advance notice. Road blockages, clashes, and disruptions to public transport occurred before police issued a strong statement. The Inspector General vowed "zero tolerance" for public disorder.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Haredi protests against draft dodger arrests caused significant chaos on Highway 4 and in Jerusalem.
- Police were aware of the planned demonstrations but failed to adequately prepare for them.
- Highway 4 was blocked, and clashes erupted between protesters and police near Bnei Brak.
- Jerusalem's light rail was suspended, and severe traffic jams formed in the capital.
- Inspector General Dani Levy later ordered decisive action against public disorder and road blockages.
Severe chaos erupted on Thursday on Highway 4 and in Jerusalem due to Haredi protests against the arrest of draft dodgers. Despite police being aware of the planned demonstrations since the previous day, forces were not adequately deployed, leading to immediate disruptions. Highway 4 near Bnei Brak was blocked in both directions, resulting in clashes between police and protesters, with footage showing forceful dispersal of demonstrators. In Jerusalem, the light rail service was halted, causing significant traffic congestion throughout the capital.
Only after the protests began and chaos spread did the police issue a statement. Inspector General of the Police, Dani Levy, reportedly ordered commanders to "prepare accordingly and act decisively to prevent public disorder, road blockages, and disruption to daily life." However, this directive came after the protests were already underway, with roads blocked, transportation disrupted, and confrontations initiated, despite the police's prior knowledge.
During the Jerusalem protests, a car was filmed accelerating towards a group of demonstrators, lightly injuring a young Haredi man. Subsequently, a truck was also recorded speeding towards the protesters. The Inspector General's office stated, "Protest is a right, public disorder is not," threatening to disperse any protest that devolved into disorder and vowing "zero tolerance" for those causing disturbances.
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