JERUSALEM – Seven police officers were wounded and eight ultra-Orthodox men arrested during clashes in Jerusalem’s ultra-Orthodox Meah Shearim quarter Tuesday night. The yeshiva students threw bricks, rocks, and even benches at police as they attempted to arrest a protester outside the Satmar Yeshiva, near the Shabbat Square intersection. Some Orthodox rabbis have denounced the building of the Trans-Israel Highway because they say the road passes over ancient Jewish graves, and have called on followers to protest the ongoing road works. Protesters blocked traffic Several hundred protesters returning home from a demonstration outside the Transportation Ministry burned garbage and blocked traffic at Shabbat Square. Police were called, and several suspects were arrested. But as officers tried to arrest a man outside the Satmar Yeshiva, hundreds of students inside the building began attacking officers in an attempt to free the student from police custody. Seven officers were injured during the riot. One officer was moderately injured and evacuated to Bikur Cholim Hospital. Four others were lightly wounded and received first aid on the spot. Officers entered yeshiva Ultra-Orthodox eyewitnesses claim the officers then entered the yeshiva. “All of a sudden, there were cops everywhere, beating people. They came into the Satmar synagogue, and broke benches and tables. Anyone who spoke was beaten,” one eyewitness said. Police claim the officers only entered the yeshiva building in order to save a comrade being beaten by students inside. Jerusalem police categorically rejected charges that officers damaged yeshiva benches and holy books, saying the ultra-Orthodox were only trying to slander the officers.