Moments before Shabbat: containers placed at the entrance to a mixed neighborhood in Bnei Brak

Municipal officials in Bnei Brak placed several containers on the road leading to the 'Mitham HaSofrim' neighborhood before the start of Shabbat, blocking access to it. This is a neighborhood where secular residents also live. Residents called the police, claiming they were trapped inside. The forces that arrived at the scene moved the containers and opened the road to traffic.

The truck driver who placed them was summoned for questioning on suspicion of endangering a traffic route. According to him, he performed the work for the Bnei Brak municipality, which denies that it ordered the placement of the containers.

The 'Mitham HaSofrim' neighborhood was established as part of the 'Mechir LeMishtaken' project and is inhabited by Haredim and secular residents who arrived from different parts of the country. Recently, frictions have begun between the residents regarding the issue of driving on Shabbat. Last week, Haredi residents placed a fence on the road, but the police cleared the obstruction, determining that it was an illegal act.

This evening, the confrontation continued, with Haredi residents claiming that some are working to secularize Bnei Brak. A police source said:

"The secular residents are also provoking the Haredim by driving wildly and doing burnouts. Anyone entering by car through the new Landau Bridge passes by synagogues, even though the secular residents have another way to enter."

The police stated that the Bnei Brak municipality did not pass a resolution to close the road according to municipal bylaws. They further noted that the police suggested the parties turn to the court to resolve the dispute, but at the moment, the secular and Haredi residents in the neighborhood are only fighting among themselves.