Violent Clashes Erupt in Elad Over Sabbath Vehicle Entry, Several Yeshiva Students Injured

On Saturday night in Elad, tensions escalated into violent confrontations at the city entrance as yeshiva students protested against vehicles entering the city during the Sabbath. The protests involved dozens of students from the Torah Betifarta and Knesset Yechezkel yeshivas, who claimed that the city’s checkpoint failed to prevent cars from entering on the Sabbath, violating religious norms.

Around 11 p.m., a confrontation broke out when a vehicle attempted to exit the city and encountered the protesting students. The students removed barricades they had set up, leading to clashes that included stone-throwing. Several yeshiva students were run over during the incident; one was thrown over the car and injured, with at least five others hurt to varying degrees. Emergency services treated one seriously injured student and transported him to Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikva.

Eyewitnesses told Kikar HaShabbat that police officers present did not detain those involved despite witnessing the events, and reportedly denied that a vehicle had run over students when paramedics arrived. The unrest continued into the early hours of Sunday, with further clashes occurring when some participants returned to the scene. Tensions remained high into Saturday night, with dozens of students gathering near the home of one of the involved individuals. Police deployed significant forces to prevent further escalation.

During the disturbances, stones were thrown, and police arrested a female driver suspected of involvement in the stone-throwing. Recently, police began taking formal complaints from the yeshiva students. A police officer assured the students that they would not be arrested due to their status regarding military conscription or handed over to military police.

This incident highlights ongoing friction in Elad over Sabbath observance and enforcement, with local residents and yeshiva students clashing over the presence of vehicles in the city during the holy day.