Protesters from the "Herzpnikim" faction of the Jerusalem faction blocked Highway 4 at the Givat Shmuel interchange near Bnei Brak in both directions this morning (Wednesday), in protest against the imprisonment of Haredi "deserters" - and suffered shocking violence from the police.
The blockade, which was carried out unexpectedly, led to heavy traffic congestion in the area during rush hour when many people are making their way to work.
During the demonstration, there were violent clashes between protesters and police - who used force to disperse the demonstration and restore order, throwing stun grenades, hitting with batons, and tearing the protesters' clothes during the arrests and evacuation. A police officer was filmed kicking a protester in the head.
The police stated that this was an "illegal demonstration" and that a police officer had declared it so before the police violence was used.
The police said that "they see the right to protest as a cornerstone in a democratic country, but will not allow disturbances, roadblocks, and violations of the public's freedom of movement.".
Three minutes of documentation of the violence. Photo by David Keshet
The statement issued by the police after the demonstration stated: Police forces acted to maintain public order at an illegal demonstration that took place on Highway 4, near Bnei Brak.
A police officer on the scene declared the gathering an illegal demonstration, and despite attempts to negotiate, the troublemakers continued to gather at the scene, blocking traffic lanes, delaying vehicles, and causing heavy traffic congestion.
During the incident, some of the rioters even got under vehicles in order to prevent them from continuing their journey and disrupt the opening of the road to traffic.
Following this, measures were taken to disperse the crowd and evacuate the axis.
During the activity, 5 troublemakers were arrested.
United Hatzalah reported that United Hatzalah ambulances and paramedics provided first aid to eight people with minor injuries. Some of the injured were evacuated to hospitals in United Hatzalah ambulances.
The Jerusalem faction issued a statement supporting the 'Herzpnikim' faction: "In recent demonstrations, the police have been using severe, brutal and shocking violence against yeshiva students and students, who are exercising their basic right to protest against an existential decree that is affecting the entire Torah world. The police are treating the protesters with humiliating and unrestrained violence, using harsh means and shocking methods that exceed the provisions of the law. The feeling is clear and painful: when it comes to the Haredi public - everything is permitted. But let it be clear: the goal will not be achieved.".
The faction added: "You will not succeed in breaking anyone through violence and forceful methods. These are people who came to give their lives for the sake of Torah and theology - and no violence will break their spirit or divert them from their struggle. Last week, we sent the police commissioner a stern warning letter on the matter. As long as the improper conduct continues, we intend to petition the High Court soon.".
Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri responded to the footage of the violence: "Itamar Ben-Gvir, wake up! It is impossible that what the police did not do in Kaplan against anarchists who sought to destroy the country, they are now doing against citizens who are screaming that they have been turned into criminals just because they study Torah.".
He added: "You know that we oppose the demonstrations, but we cannot stand idly by in the face of this injustice and severe violence. You have proven that when it is important to you, you know how to use the police. Stand up now and stop the police violence against the people of the Torah.".
MK Meir Porush: "The police's conduct this morning is not consistent with the conduct of the police in a country ruled by Jews, nor the police in a country that claims to be a democracy. We are familiar with violent dispersal of protests as we saw this morning from Turkey and Iran. The police commissioner, and every police officer or commander who was involved, should go home today!""
Tearing clothes. Photo: Sheila Fried
MK Yoav Ben-Zur responded: "The shocking footage from this morning, in which police officers are seen using brutal violence and injuring ultra-Orthodox protesters until they bleed, reveals the painful truth. The Israel Police operates a selective and discriminatory enforcement system.
""The protesters from Kaplan are shouting slogans on loudspeakers, and in the ultra-Orthodox demonstrations, batons, stun grenades and disproportionate force are used.".
"The role of the police is to maintain public order through reasonable and restrained force and not to exploit the uniform to trample on the law and tear apart public trust.".
"I call on the Minister of Public Security to investigate the police policy today and call for an investigation into the violent police officers who crossed a red line. These are protesters, not terrorists. The blood of the Haredim is not wasted."
After the criticism, Ben Gvir responded: "Recently, there have been an increase in incidents in which stun grenades were used against the civilian population in violation of procedures, and therefore I will hold an urgent discussion on the subject, in order to ensure that the use of stun grenades will only be done in exceptional cases and in accordance with police procedures. If the use is not limited to these cases, there will be no stun grenades in the police.".
In response to Deri's words, he added: "From the first day of the government, I demanded the dismissal of the Ombudsman, the one who persecutes the Haredim and protects the Kaplan protesters. But you and your friends protected her because you thought you were smarter. Unfortunately, you realized too late and the hard way that flattering her is costing the Haredi public dearly.""
Media figure Yinon Magal commented on the police violence: "The problem in my opinion is not that the police opened Highway 4 with great force. Because it's not possible for anyone who wants to to block roads here every Monday and Thursday. There is a limit.
""The problem is the selective enforcement. We have never seen such images in left-wing demonstrations. Not when the Ayalon Highways were blocked countless times and for many hours, nor when Highway 1 was blocked, and two people were killed there. And when Ben Gvir wanted to enforce equal enforcement on the police - the judiciary prevented him from doing so. Because there are those who bleed red and there are those who bleed blue.".
