Ultra-Orthodox Protesters Clash With Police Over Jerusalem Light Rail
Dozens of ultra-Orthodox extremists protested in Jerusalem against light rail construction, clashing with police who used stun grenades and water cannons. Construction damage has reached half a billion shekels.
Dozens of extremist ultra-Orthodox demonstrators protested on Tuesday evening on Bar Ilan Street in Jerusalem against light rail construction works. Footage from the scene showed participants pulling down a traffic light and vandalizing fences at construction sites.
Police clashed with the rioters, deploying stun grenades and a water cannon. Two public order violators were arrested.
Police stated: "Jerusalem District police officers, Yasam, and Border Police fighters operated at the site of the disturbance. The rioters attempted to cause damage and intermittently block traffic axes. A police officer declared the gathering an illegal disturbance and ordered the rioters to clear the route. Upon their refusal, forces began using force, a water cannon, and means to disperse them."
Protests by extremist factions, held periodically in the Jerusalem light rail area, target the construction of the Green Line passing through ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods. The line, designed to connect Gilo neighborhood to Mount Scopus, was originally scheduled for completion at the end of 2025. However, construction actually began only in October of last year due to various delays, including the war and resistance from extremist ultra-Orthodox factions. Completion is now expected by the end of 2027.
In July of this year, project sources estimated that the damage caused by ultra-Orthodox riots against the Jerusalem light rail Green Line has already reached half a billion shekels.
