Ultra-Orthodox Satmar demonstrators set fires at several spots on Bar Ilan Street in Jerusalem, protesting the city's light rail construction, according to N12 reporter Eli Hirschmann.
Satmar Hasidic protesters set fires in several locations on Bar Ilan Street in Jerusalem this evening, protesting the light rail construction, as reported by N12's Eli Hirschmann. The fires mark an escalation from earlier actions at the same site: at 20:14, the initial report noted police dispersing dozens of protesters who blocked work and damaged equipment. Within the same minute, a follow-up report described protesters blocking traffic and buses, and police officially declaring a disturbance of order. By 20:14, a third thread item reported protesters now targeting construction infrastructure.
On June 8, as The Zioneer reported at 20:47, radical ultra-Orthodox demonstrators set a fire and attempted to damage the construction compound, according to police spokesperson footage. On June 7 at 21:48, protesters blocked the light rail over arrests of suspects in a disturbance at Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg's home. A subsequent report on June 9 at 21:12 confirmed a similar blockade demanding the release of those arrested.
Since June 11, as The Zioneer reported at 19:28 and 12:37, the hardline Jerusalem faction and other Haredi groups have escalated with highway blockades and train shutdowns across central Israel, linked to the conscription bill. The earlier protests at this construction site were initially reported by a single newsroom (N12) before a police statement appeared in the thread. The current fire-setting relies entirely on Hirschmann's report.
No independent confirmation of the fire locations, damage extent, or arrests has yet been issued by police or other sources.
4 developments
- DevelopingUltra-Orthodox protesters set fire near Jerusalem light rail construction site
- DevelopingPolice arrest two suspects for vandalism at Jerusalem light rail construction site
- StrongHaredi protesters block highways, halt trains across central Israel
- StrongHaredim block Jerusalem road in protest over draft dodger arrest report
Source and signal
- Internal intake