Over 100 Ultra-Orthodox Protesters Block Main Road in Safed Over Shabbat Bus Lines

On Saturday, more than 300 ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked the main road near the central bus station in Safed, disrupting traffic in opposition to the operation of public bus lines before Shabbat begins. Police arrived at the scene, dispersed the crowd, and arrested several individuals for disturbing public order. This marks the fourth consecutive Saturday of road blockades in the city. Protesters shouted "Shabbos" at passing drivers, causing significant traffic congestion.

Opposing the roadblock were residents, including secular and some ultra-Orthodox citizens, who criticized the disruption to daily life. The protests intensified over the past month following the introduction of bus lines to Haifa, Kiryat Shmona, and Nahariya before Shabbat, which the demonstrators view as disrespectful to the sanctity of Shabbat. Currently, the general population in Safed makes up about 46% of residents, compared to approximately 54% ultra-Orthodox, and many see the protests as part of ongoing tensions affecting the city's social fabric.

This recent escalation follows previous conflicts in Safed, including disputes over renaming streets from Zionist figures to rabbis, and incidents such as posting anti-IDF soldier flyers, removing Israeli flags, and vandalizing billboards featuring women. These events have deepened divisions between the city's communities.

Similar tensions surfaced in Jerusalem on the same day, where around 100 ultra-Orthodox protesters surrounded a café in the Mahane Yehuda market, banging on windows to force its closure. Patrons refused to leave and exchanged chants with the protesters, highlighting the ongoing volatility surrounding public space use on weekends across Israel.