Ultra-Orthodox Protesters Block Buses in Safed and Meron Over Sabbath Transit

On Saturday, clashes erupted near the central bus station in Safed as about 100 ultra-Orthodox protesters attempted to block buses from leaving the city toward Nahariya before the Sabbath ended. Around 25 local activists, including residents from Safed and the Galilee, gathered to ensure the buses could depart. Physical confrontations occurred, including an incident where a protester seized a megaphone from a female activist and struck another woman in the face. Police intervened, separating the groups, detaining several individuals for questioning, and securing the buses' departure.

The activists later announced the situation in Safed had been resolved with the dispersal of protesters. Similar tensions took place in Meron, where ultra-Orthodox demonstrators tried to delay bus departures. Local residents and activists from the "Free Way" movement stood against the protesters, demanding the continuation of public transportation and freedom of movement. Attorney Tomer Ben Hamo from the "New Covenant Karmiel" movement praised the police for their effective assistance and emphasized their goal to uphold public freedom of movement.

These protests are part of an ongoing campaign against the operation of public transportation on the Sabbath, which began several weeks ago in Safed and has now spread to nearby areas. Authorities continue to manage the delicate balance between religious protest and public transit rights in the region.