Disturbing footage in Arad: Haredi man vandalized photos of women in public space | Watch

Disturbing footage from Arad sparked a storm after a Haredi man was seen wandering alone through the city streets and vandalizing photos of women on billboards. Following the footage, a complaint was filed with the police for damage to public property.

On behalf of the municipality, it was stated:

"The Arad Municipality will act for enforcement and significant punishment against the offender in order to create a deterrent against offenders who try to harm the public space."

Arad Mayor Yair Maayan added in response:

"A shocking video in broad daylight in Arad: a violent and extremist offender who is trying to set facts on the ground in the public space. The video was transferred to the Arad police for criminal enforcement. We will not allow any person to harm the public space and try to exclude women from the public space."

The prolonged tension between the Haredi public and the secular public in Arad reached a boiling point about two months ago, when clashes and fights broke out between residents across the city following Haredi protests against the conscription of yeshiva students and the road blockades that accompanied them.

The recent events began when Haredi demonstrations and road blockades at the entrance to the city sparked anger among secular residents who claimed that their access to their homes was prevented and that their daily routine was harmed. The mayor had already appealed to the police at that time with a demand to act against the blockades, but at the same time called on residents to avoid confrontations and leave the handling of the events to the enforcement forces.

However, the anger that had accumulated on the ground spilled over today into direct confrontations between the sides, in what is perceived by many as another chapter in the deep struggle that has accompanied Arad for years.