Radical ultra-Orthodox demonstrators protesting the light rail construction on Bar Ilan Street broke through fencing at the construction site Sunday evening, according to reports. The protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations against the ongoing works.
Sunday evening saw a new escalation in the ongoing ultra-Orthodox protests against the Jerusalem light rail, as demonstrators broke through fencing at the Bar Ilan Street construction site. The breach came after hours of protest that began Sunday afternoon, when demonstrators first attempted to block construction works. Police later declared the gathering illegal and began clearing the area, according to N12 journalist Eli Hirshman.
Earlier Sunday, at around 15:41 Jerusalem, protesters were reported trying to block the construction site, with police and Border Police on scene. Within the same hour, radical ultra-Orthodox demonstrators broke through fences, and additional footage of the protest was released. Police then declared the protest unlawful and began evacuating demonstrators to restore public order. This incident follows weeks of similar protests, including blocking tracks, clashes with security forces, and damage to infrastructure, as The Zioneer has previously reported on multiple occasions.
The protesters oppose the light rail project on religious grounds, citing concerns over Sabbath operation and the route passing through Haredi neighborhoods. Police have repeatedly cleared the site and released footage of earlier incidents, including a fire set near the construction compound on June 8 and a Haredi demonstrator entering wet concrete on July 2. The protests have also been linked to broader tensions over military draft arrests and judicial matters.
As of 23:03 Jerusalem, no injuries or arrests have been reported in this latest incident. The clearing operation was ongoing, and it remains unclear whether any demonstrators were detained.
4 developments
- DevelopingPolice release new footage of ultra-Orthodox protesters at Jerusalem light rail site
- DevelopingPolice begin clearing Haredi protesters from Jerusalem light rail construction site
- DevelopingUltra-Orthodox protesters block Jerusalem light rail over arrests of suspects in judge's home disturbance
- DevelopingRadical ultra-Orthodox protest halts Jerusalem light rail in Shevet Israel area
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