Hundreds of Haredi protesters demonstrated Friday evening in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh following the arrest of rioters outside the home of Deputy Chief Justice Noam Sohlberg earlier this week.
The main protest in Jerusalem took place outside the Lev HaBira police station. During the demonstration, protesters surrounded the station and tried to break down the entrance gate in an attempt to force their way inside.
Dozens of Haredi protesters try to break into Jerusalem police station over arrests
(Video: Liran Tamari)
A civilian called the police hotline and asked officers to disperse the Haredi protesters, who he said had also attacked secular civilians. The dispatcher told him: “At the moment, we have no dispersal order. I have no ability to do anything. There are commanders above me.”
One civilian was knocked to the ground, bled and was evacuated with a torn ear. He said he had been kicked in the head.
Police said rioters outside the Jerusalem station were pushed back by force, though protesters continued gathering outside the station. “Their dispersal is still ongoing with the use of force,” police said, despite the recording in which the civilian who complained was told that no dispersal order had been issued.
According to police, rioters in Beit Shemesh threw stones and objects at officers, who responded with force and crowd-dispersal measures.
On Thursday, Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court heard police requests to extend the detention of 62 suspects arrested after rioters rampaged in the yard of Justice Sohlberg’s home. Israel Prison Service vehicles brought the suspects to court under heavy police security, and because of their large number, they were brought before the judge in smaller separate groups.
After a hearing that lasted several hours, the detention of most of the suspects was extended. On Friday, the District Court accepted a police appeal and ordered 18 Haredi suspects who had been released to remain in custody. All will remain detained at least until Sunday.
The rioters in Sohlberg’s yard on Wednesday smashed windows in his home, his car windows, as well as flowerpots and planters. During Thursday’s court hearing, it emerged that a police patrol car was in the area at the time of the riot but decided not to intervene.
A police representative said the officers withdrew because of the large number of rioters. “It is not reasonable for two officers to arrive opposite a crowd of dozens of people,” he said.
Police officials later said: “You cannot expect two officers to stand against 60 people. We did not abandon the Sohlberg family. The team joined additional teams, built up strength and then entered. If two officers had intervened alone, it could have ended in disaster. They could have overturned their patrol car.”
First published: 21:10, 06.05.26