Police said early Monday that a total of 31 people in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak were arrested during violent clashes between officers and ultra-Orthodox protesters demonstrating over lockdown rules.
Two officers were lightly hurt in Jerusalem in a confrontation late Sunday and had to receive medical treatment. Protesters also caused damage to several patrol cars, private vehicles and municipal buildings.
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Haredi protesters clash with police in Jerusalem, left, and Bnei Brak
(Photos: Shaul Golan, Haim Goldich)
Police said that 18 people were arrested in Jerusalem for hurling stones at officers in the predominantly ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea She'arim.
Four bystanders were hurt by the stones.
L., a bystander who was hit in the head, said that he was standing near the clashes when suddenly he was hit with a rock.
"I was bleeding and I cannot understand why these maniacs are hurling stones. There is no reason for this, just a bunch of bored kids looking for trouble. Police are just playing into their hands," he said.
Clashes between police and Haredim in Jerusalem's Kikar HaShabbat
A source within the Hasidic community in Jerusalem said: "We took our people away from the scene. There are a lot of people here looking for trouble. The lockdown and the provocation on the part of the officers several hours ago in Mea She'arim is what caused this."
The increased police presence in the Jerusalem neighborhood came after reports emerged of ultra-Orthodox "guards" posted outside synagogues to ward off officers seeking to implement lockdown regulations, which include a ban on mass gatherings in synagogues.
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Police and ultra-Orthodox protesters clash outside Bnei Brak synagogue
(Photo: Shaul Golan)
In Bnei Brak near Tel Aviv, officers attempted for several hours to disperse an illegal gathering at Agudat Ovdei Yisrael Synagogue. The police initially clashed with members of the congregation inside and outside of the building, resulting in 13 arrests.
During the initial attempt, several men yelled and danced in front of the officers, calling them "Nazis" and "bastards," and telling them to "go back to Germany."
After the first attempt, additional forces arrived at the scene, including mounted police. After several more unsuccessful attempts to disperse them, the congregation ended their prayers, leaving the building and returning to their homes.
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Stand off between officers and ultra-Orthodox protesters in Bnei Brak
(Photo: Shaul Golan)
Police said that not only was the gathering a violation of lockdown orders, but most within the synagogue were not wearing protective face masks.
"Such blatant disregard of law and public order will not be allowed," police said. "We will work tirelessly against those who break the law."
Several of the rioters resisted arrest and had to placed in police cars by force. Police officers were filmed pushing one detainee forcefully against a wall and hitting him, while another officer knelt on another man's head.
The man who was pinned against the wall managed to flee back into the synagogue, and officers followed him, pinned him to the ground and handcuffed him.
Violent clashes between Haredi and police in Bnei Brak
"The officers just beat people up for no reason and harass others on the street," said Hershi, a member of the congregation at the synagogue.
"We listen to what our rabbis say and as far as we are concerned, police cannot tell us what to do if it goes against scripture."
Bnei Brak Mayor Rabbi Avraham Rubinstein slammed the police, accusing them of disproportional violence.
"It saddens me to see that officers have not learned from the mistakes of the past and are doing police work without prior coordination with municipal authorities, while using excessive force against worshipers," he said.
"I demand explanations from the local precinct, an end to this harsh violence and a thorough investigation into the conduct of the officers."
Ultra-Orthodox pelting patrol cars in Jerusalem
MK Yitzhak Pindros, head of United Torah Judaism's Knesset faction, attacked the police for what he called "violent" conduct and for causing "chaos" in Haredi communities.
"The police top brass forgot that citizens with equal rights stand before them and not enemies," he said.
"Instead of enforcing the coronavirus public health directives in a calm and balanced way, officers acted with relentless force, the result of media incitement and rotting morality within the police's high command."
Pindros also called for the "immediate" appointment of a police chief from outside the force's ranks.