While the State of Israel celebrates 62 years of independence, hundreds of Haredi demonstrators took to the streets Tuesday afternoon in Bnei Brak, clashing with police who tried to prevent them from burning Israeli flags.
The demonstrators blocked off a main road and threw stones at a patrol car, which was damaged. No injuries were reported.
Meanwhile, a group of Neturei Karta demonstrators in Beit Shemesh burned flags during a demonstration against the State.
Recently, there have been a number of Haredi demonstrations, particularly by the anti-Zionist sect Neturei Karta. On Monday, the police submitted an indictment against young Haredi man Yehiel Hazan (20), from Jerusalem, who burned an Israeli flag. He was arrested by an undercover police officer who was disguised as a Haredi man during a rally held by Neturei Karta as the Memorial Day siren honoring Israel's fallen soldiers sounded throughout the country.
According to the indictment, "When the siren was heard… the accused, and others, started to jump around, clap and shout. He held an Israeli flag and set it alight. When the flag had burned, the accused and others stamped on it."
Hazan is accused of disturbing the peace and displaying disrespect to the State's flag.
Shmulik Grossman also contributed to this report