Jerusalem Man Arrested for Arson Causing Major Damage to Light Rail Construction Site

A 22-year-old man from Jerusalem has been indicted for arson at the light rail construction site on Bar Ilan Street, part of extremist ultra-Orthodox opposition to the project. The fire, set about a month ago late at night, targeted large pipes in the area and caused damage estimated at approximately 700,000 shekels. The suspect was identified through distinctive clothing items he wore, including traditional sidelocks (payot), and a witness who saw him request a lighter minutes before the fire started.

Separately, on Tuesday, police from the Jerusalem district and firefighters responded to reports of explosions and a fire near the Banks Junction in Jerusalem. The fire involved electrical cables at the light rail construction site, leading to widespread power outages affecting homes and businesses nearby. Firefighters extinguished the blaze while police launched an investigation and conducted searches to determine the circumstances of the incident.