Dozens arrested in Jerusalem as radical Haredim protest conscription
Police arrest scores of Haredim from radical sect in demonstration against IDF conscription law after violent instances erupt, with rioters attacking policemen and engaging in skirmishes with civilians; 'We will not allow blatant violations of public order,' police say.
The protesters blocked a main road in the city, disrupting both vehicle and light rail movements, in what have become increasingly common sights in some of Israel's major transport arteries, both in and around the capital.
By the early evening, police began making arrests after the unruly demonstrators repeatedly refused to obey instructions, began attacking them and at times got into physical skirmishes with civilians.
“We will not allow blatant violations of public order, roadblocks, the harming of residents’ peace and security and the disruption of their lives,” the police said after employing riot-dispersal techniques, including spraying the residents with water hoses.
The protest began following orders from Rabbi Shmuel Auerbach, who heads radical Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox sect, calling “to demonstrate for the respect of the Torah that is being denigrated by the dirt in the prolonged custody of 12 prisoners of 'Olam HaTorah' (the world of Torah).”
Last Monday, over 2,000 hard-line ultra-Orthodox demonstrators protested the arrest of draft dodging yeshiva students in Bnei Brak, blocking the city's main Jabotinsky thoroughfare. At least fifteen protesters were arrested.
