Police Use Water Cannon to Disperse Ultra-Orthodox Protesters in Jerusalem
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Police used a water cannon to disperse ultra-Orthodox protesters blocking major intersections in Jerusalem on Thursday. Similar actions were taken in Beit Shemesh to clear Highway 38. The protests follow violent incidents in June involving clashes between protesters and motorists, and an assault on a deputy mayor.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Police deployed a water cannon to clear ultra-Orthodox protesters blocking Jerusalem intersections.
- Protesters also blocked Highway 38 in Beit Shemesh, where police intervened.
- The demonstrations occurred at the Yavne interchange, causing traffic disruptions.
- Similar protests in June led to clashes and an assault on a deputy mayor.
Ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked major intersections in Jerusalem on Thursday, leading police to deploy a water cannon to clear the roads. Demonstrators halted traffic at the junction of Sarei Israel and Jaffa streets, a key artery in the city. After protesters refused police orders to disperse, officers and Border Police forces used crowd-control measures, including the water cannon, to reopen the route.
Simultaneously, in Beit Shemesh, police successfully cleared protesters from Highway 38, restoring traffic flow. The police spokesperson reported that an illegal demonstration was also taking place at the Yavne interchange, with protesters blocking the road in both directions. Police were on site, directing traffic to alternative routes and working to clear the road and restore order.
This incident follows a violent clash in June on Highway 1, where a pregnant woman was severely injured in an accident. Subsequently, violent confrontations erupted between ultra-Orthodox protesters and stranded motorists. On the same day in June, two other unusual incidents occurred: Rabbi Gdalyahu Eisenstein, Deputy Mayor of Beitar Illit and Chairman of the Hasidic faction, was violently assaulted during a protest convoy from Beitar Illit. Witnesses reported that an inciter collided with his vehicle and then physically attacked him.
