Gur Hasidic leader in Arad urges calm after violent street clash

The rabbi of the Gur Hasidic community in Arad, Mordechai Chaim Volkovitz, called on Thursday for restraint after an unusually violent confrontation the day before between local secular residents and Hasidim. In a letter to his community, he warned against being drawn into provocations, said people should not gather in places where fights could erupt, and added, “אין לענות למחרפים למיניהם,” meaning not to answer those who insult or provoke them.

Volkovitz also instructed residents to go to police and file complaints in any case of harassment or physical harm, so that attackers would be held accountable. He urged the community not to trust “unverified rumors,” but only information that comes directly from him, and called on them to increase prayer, Torah study, reverence for Heaven, and “love of Israel.” He ended the letter by hand with the blessing, “may there be peace.”

The clash broke out on Wednesday afternoon during nationwide car protests, near a residential complex in the southern city, and required immediate intervention by many security forces. According to reporter Almog Boker, the confrontation began when secular residents tried to block the cars of Gur Hasidim who were planning to join a convoy toward Prison 10.

Video from the scene showed dozens of people shouting, running through the streets, and engaging in direct physical confrontations, including shoving and throwing objects. The disturbance spread through nearby buildings and public areas, with frightened bystanders, including women and children, caught in the middle.

City council member Yitzhak Gordon, from the Gur community, said the protests should remain peaceful and called on Israel Police to quickly arrest those attacking the community and escalating tensions. He blamed former Arad mayor Nisan Ben Hamo for fueling the unrest, saying his recent call for an intifada in the city had incited violence. Police said reinforced southern district units and Border Police fighters were deployed to restore order, disperse gatherings, and prevent further escalation.