Violent clashes between Haredi youth and police in Jerusalem

Violent clashes broke out on Highway 1 in Jerusalem between haredi (ultra-Orthodox) youth and Israeli police after one person was arrested allegedly without cause on Wednesday night, according to Walla news.

The rioters blocked the path of two police cars that attempted to leave the area, blocked roads to traffic and threw glass bottles and other objects at a group of police officers, surrounding them and causing a significant threat to the police officers’ well being. The haredi youth also sprayed pepper spray at the officers and caused damage to police cars.

מאות בני אדם הפרו את הסדר באזור רחוב שבטי ישראל בירושלים, כאשר חלקם היו שיכורים והפריעו לתנועה. המשטרה עצרה 7 חשודים בחשד לגרימת נזק לרכוש ולניידות@yaara_shapira pic.twitter.com/BvKxImAlpq

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) October 17, 2019

The group even tried to carry out a lynch of Arab drivers passing through the area, according to eyewitnesses. In one video from the incident, Haredi youth are seen throwing stones at a car passing through the area.

“During the night, a few hundred people, some of whom were drunk, disturbed the public order in the area of Shivtei Israel Street and Chaim Bar Lev Street in Jerusalem as well as disturbing the flow of traffic in the area,” the Israel Police said in a statement. “Israel Police forces that arrived at the scene acted to remove those disturbing the flow of traffic and restored the public order after they arrested seven people suspected of causing damage to property and vehicles belonging to the police.”