Arad Resident Claims 4-Year-Old Son Injured by Stones Thrown Near Kindergarten by Gur Hasidic Community Members

A resident of Arad, identified as Ola, alleges that her 4-year-old son was injured by stones thrown at a kindergarten by members of a community associated with the Gur Hasidic sect. The boy, who attends a regular kindergarten within the special education framework, was left frightened and confused by the incident. Ola described the child asking her why he was hit with stones and expressed distress over the repeated clashes between secular residents and the Hasidic community in the city.

Ola claims this is not an isolated event, stating that the tensions stem from disputes over control of educational institutions in Arad. She said the Hasidic community aims to dominate kindergartens as they have allegedly done with local schools. Following the incident, Ola reported it to the police, who opened a case, but she says the situation remains unresolved with further stone-throwing incidents occurring.

Another city resident, Ayala, emphasized that the conflict is not religious but related to the behavior of the Gur Hasidic community, noting concerns about youth boredom during the summer break and uncertainty about how the situation will develop.

The Arad municipality responded strongly to the stone-throwing incidents at the Haruv kindergarten. The school principal was summoned for urgent discussions with the mayor, Yair Maayan, and deputy mayor and education portfolio holder, Guy Brioza. The municipality condemned the events and demanded immediate preventive measures, including temporary fencing around the schoolyard and plans for permanent barriers. They also highlighted ongoing dialogue with the school administration to improve supervision and prevent future incidents. The municipality affirmed that the safety and security of all children in Arad remain a top priority and pledged to act swiftly and responsibly to ensure a safe environment for students.