Clashes in Safed and Meron: Haredi protesters blocked and prevented buses from departing

The protest against the operation of public transportation on Shabbat, which began several weeks ago in Safed, has also spread to Meron. Physical clashes were recorded today, Saturday, near the central bus station in Safed after about 100 Haredi protesters tried to prevent buses from leaving the city towards Nahariya before the end of Shabbat. On the other hand, about 25 activists, including residents of Safed and the Galilee region, arrived at the scene to enable the departure of the lines.

During the protest, friction developed between the sides. In one instance, one of the Haredi protesters snatched a megaphone from one of the female protesters, and during the event, struck another female protester in the face. Police forces at the scene separated the sides, detained several individuals for questioning, and secured the departure of the buses as scheduled.

Later, the activists stated that the event in Safed had ended and the protesters had dispersed. According to them, in Meron as well, the police assisted in stopping the event and dispersing it.

Advocate Tomer Ben-Hamo from the "Hoze Hadash Karmiel" movement said:

"The buses left freely with the help of the police who worked wonderfully and of course with our help. We came to strengthen the freedom of movement in the public sphere."

At the same time, at the Meron junction, Haredi protesters also demonstrated and tried to delay the buses. Facing them were residents from the area and activists of "Derech Hofshit," who demand to allow the operation of public transportation and freedom of movement in the sphere.