Ultra-Orthodox Protest Erupts in Violence, Police Use Shock Grenades
Translated & summarized from TheMarker by baba
Around 200 ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked Highway 4 near Bnei Brak on Thursday, protesting the arrest of a draft dodger. Police used shock grenades to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries to protesters and officers. A reporter and cameraman were also attacked. Politicians exchanged blame, with MK Yaakov Asher condemning police violence and the Jerusalem Faction accusing Minister Ben-Gvir, who in turn blamed Police Commissioner Dani Levy.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- 200 ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked Highway 4 near Bnei Brak protesting a draft dodger's arrest.
- Police used shock grenades extensively to disperse the demonstrators, injuring protesters and officers.
- A reporter and cameraman were attacked, with the reporter hit by a stone and the cameraman by a metal rod.
- MK Yaakov Asher condemned the police violence as a "red line."
- The Jerusalem Faction blamed Minister Ben-Gvir for using police for revenge.
- Minister Ben-Gvir blamed Police Commissioner Dani Levy for acting to appease the next government.
Approximately 200 ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked Highway 4 near Bnei Brak on Thursday to protest the arrest of a draft dodger. Police extensively used shock grenades to disperse the demonstrators. Magen David Adom reported one protester sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. Some protesters claimed shock grenades were thrown directly at them, with one describing the scene as resembling a "battlefield."
Police stated that three officers were injured during the protest, including one with broken ribs and another hit in the head by a stone. A reporter for i24 News was also hit in the head by a stone, and a cameraman was attacked with a metal rod; both filed police complaints.
The Jerusalem Faction blamed National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for the violence, accusing him of using the police for revenge over election results and declaring that "the blood of Haredim is not forfeit."
Ben-Gvir, in turn, blamed Police Commissioner Dani Levy, with whom he has an ongoing dispute over senior appointments. Ben-Gvir suggested Levy is acting to appease the incoming government and the left, characterizing the events as part of Levy's new agenda to curry favor. He lamented that Levy, after fulfilling his requests for 18 months, is now turning the ultra-Orthodox into his "punching bag" following the elections, acting illegally.
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