Ultra-Orthodox protestors clash with Israeli police in Jerusalem

2011-07-17 03:40:53 GMT+7 (ICT)

JERUSALEM (BNO NEWS) -- Israeli police on Saturday clashed with at least 800 ultra-Orthodox protestors who were trying to block a central Jerusalem road in an attempt to prevent the desecration of Shabbat, the Jewish holy day.

According to Haaretz newspaper, police on horseback used a water-spraying vehicle to disperse the crowd on the central Naviim Street and allow traffic to resume. In retaliation, protesters yelled out "Nazis" and threw objects.

Earlier this week, Jerusalem District Commander Niso Shaham requested that secular activists refrain from protesting ultra-Orthodox attempts to close off the road, explaining that this would only fuel tensions.

Neviim Street, which is one of the most important avenues of transportation in the capital, also serves as a border between ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods and the cultural and shopping center of the city. Secular residents claim that hundreds of religious men often resort to violence in a bid to prevent cars from desecrating Shabbat.

Secular drivers have also complained of ultra-Orthodox protesters kicking, hitting, and throwing bottles on their cars when they attempt to drive through the street.

The incident comes just days after ultra-Orthodox residents in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Mea Shearim set fire to trash cans and hurled rocks at police officers to protest the shutting down of an illegal slaughterhouse. Six policemen were wounded.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-07-17

These clashes have been going on for years, if anything its better now as before they use to simply block road with cars, did not allow ambulances and fire brigades through etc.

i guess it goes to show that ultra religious can go totally nuts and do not seem to be able to use common sense or adjust to progress.

of course 5000 odd years ago, there were no cars, electricity or much else for that matter.

Interestingly; Israel is a secular state, and as a result many Ultra Orthodox Jews do not acknowledge the existance of the modern state... funny hey?

At least they aren't blowing people up to make their point but why is it that the most devout of many religions are arrogant enough to assume they can trample over the rights of others should they not meet their desired and usually archaic standards of behaviour.

Because what they do, they do in the name of God and God has told them to do so.

At least they aren't blowing people up to make their point but why is it that the most devout of many religions are arrogant enough to assume they can trample over the rights of others should they not meet their desired and usually archaic standards of behaviour.

I agree that their actions are nothing compared to suicide bombers et al, and also; these ultra orthodox guys tend to get annoyed with other Jews not keping the sabath... they are not too worried about others. The thing is, it is still quite unreasonable and it does encroach on the freedom of others.