Hundreds of Secular Residents Protest Against Religious Coercion in Arad

Hundreds of secular residents in the city of Arad held a protest against the increasing religious influence and coercion in their community. The demonstration followed violent clashes about a week earlier between members of the Gur Hasidic sect and secular residents. Protesters demanded the resignation of Arad's mayor, Yair Maayan, and carried signs condemning the city leadership, including one with a photo of Deputy Mayor Guy Brioza that read, "Shame, you sold out Arad." The protest highlighted tensions between secular and ultra-Orthodox populations in the city and called for an end to religious imposition.