Haredim block buses on Shabbat, secular residents hold 'processions': The struggle over the character of Safed

For the ninth consecutive Shabbat, tensions have flared in Safed between Haredim and secular residents. Every Shabbat, the city's central square, Egged Square, becomes a battleground. Haredim arriving from outside the city demonstrate against public transportation on Shabbat, while the "Nativ Express" company continues to operate its lines, transporting soldiers and civilians.

About 100 Haredi protesters attended today's demonstration, joined by a few dozen secular residents who protested against them. The Safed police, led by Superintendent Haim Biton, are working to manage road blockades by extremist Haredim attempting to stop the buses. During today's protest, police acted to minimize the impact on residents, and buses were not halted. Additionally, a Haredi youth was detained after being identified by Superintendent Biton as someone barred by a judge from the area following previous riots.

The phenomenon of blockades is spreading and has reached the central square in Meron, where Haredim are also protesting against weekend bus services. Notably, in the southern part of Safed, the IDF-Maor Haim neighborhood is populated by Haredim, and public transportation does not enter that area.

Secular residents are increasingly concerned about the tenure of the Haredi mayor, Yossi Kakun, who has failed to prevent the demonstrations despite his efforts. In posters distributed against him, Haredim claim he is anti-religious, while secular residents view him as responsible for the "Haredization" of the city. In response to the Haredi demonstrations, a group of secular residents held several "protest processions." Vehicles drove through the city playing music on Shabbat to "show the Haredim that if you disturb us, we will disturb you."