Bnei Brak Kindergarten Dispute Escalates, Maintenance Worker Detained

Clashes erupted Sunday morning in Bnei Brak's Pardes Katz neighborhood between members of the Jerusalem Faction and staff from the Kiseh Rachamim institutions over a kindergarten building on Abarbanel Street. Police forces arrived at the scene, and during the confrontations, a maintenance worker employed by Kiseh Rachamim was detained for questioning after one individual was injured.

According to Kiseh Rachamim representatives, an agreement was reached with the police for the Jerusalem Faction to vacate the building on Sunday, instead of the originally planned Friday. The maintenance worker arrived for his duties, reportedly unaware of this revised agreement. The dispute stems from a decision by Mayor Hanoch Zeibert to allow the Jerusalem Faction to use the building, with a promise to find an alternative location for Kiseh Rachamim, a promise that has yet to be fulfilled.

Attorney Rafael Tzik, representing the detained worker, stated that his client arrived to repair damaged partitions and ensure the children's safety and routine. Tzik asserted that the worker acted to de-escalate the situation and prevent violence, without resorting to any aggression, and was merely trying to protect property and people while on duty. He added that the worker cooperated fully with law enforcement and is confident the investigation will conclude he acted properly and the case will be closed quickly.

Sources from Kiseh Rachamim criticized the police, claiming their maintenance worker was the one attacked while trying to protect the kindergarten's property. They expressed disbelief that the police detained the worker who was allegedly physically assaulted by an unlawful mob. They are confident that documentation will prove his innocence and lead to the swift closure of his case. Both sides are awaiting intervention from Mayor Hanoch Zeibert to resolve the building dispute and prevent further conflict.