7 apr 2020
Members of the radical ultra-Orthodox Jerusalem Faction demonstrate in Haredi settlement of Modi'in Illit against new government measures, enraging some locals who clashed with the protesters
A group of religious ultra-Orthodox extremists on Tuesday staged a protest in the Haredi settlement of Modi'in Illit, urging the locals not to follow the government guidelines meant to combat the spread of coronavirus. A brawl broke out at the scene between the protestors and some local residents who demanded the extremists leave the area.
The protest was staged by the Jerusalem Faction, an especially radical ultra-Orthodox community, which is notorious for its altercations with authorities and its unwillingness to adhere to state directives. Many within the faction identify as anti-Zionists.
The group of protesters carried banners and shouted through a loud speaker that Jews should not adhere to the Health Ministry's directives meant to combat COVID-19. On Tuesday evening Israel is set to be put under a nationwide lockdown for the holiday of Passover.
"Help, Judaism is in danger,” the demonstrators shouted, while waving banners, urging others to ignore the rules. video
The footage from the incident shows the extremists are then assaulted and chasedaway by another other residents, who slammed them for defying state-ordered social distancing rules.
In the meantime, police raided the "Proshim" synagogue in the Haredi city of Beit Shemesh and arrested several ultra-Orthodox parishioners who were praying inside the building in violation of the Health Ministry's directives.
"Police officers have located a synagogue in Beit Shemesh that operated in violation of the public health orders, "said the police in a statement.
"Fines of NIS 500 were imposed on each person [except minors] as well as NIS 5,000 [on the individual who ran the synagogue] for violating Health Ministry directives.
In addition, police arrested a suspect who spat at a Border Police officer, and who was brought for further questioning for the crime of assaulting a police officer."
A group of religious ultra-Orthodox extremists on Tuesday staged a protest in the Haredi settlement of Modi'in Illit, urging the locals not to follow the government guidelines meant to combat the spread of coronavirus. A brawl broke out at the scene between the protestors and some local residents who demanded the extremists leave the area.
The protest was staged by the Jerusalem Faction, an especially radical ultra-Orthodox community, which is notorious for its altercations with authorities and its unwillingness to adhere to state directives. Many within the faction identify as anti-Zionists.
The group of protesters carried banners and shouted through a loud speaker that Jews should not adhere to the Health Ministry's directives meant to combat COVID-19. On Tuesday evening Israel is set to be put under a nationwide lockdown for the holiday of Passover.
"Help, Judaism is in danger,” the demonstrators shouted, while waving banners, urging others to ignore the rules. video
The footage from the incident shows the extremists are then assaulted and chasedaway by another other residents, who slammed them for defying state-ordered social distancing rules.
In the meantime, police raided the "Proshim" synagogue in the Haredi city of Beit Shemesh and arrested several ultra-Orthodox parishioners who were praying inside the building in violation of the Health Ministry's directives.
"Police officers have located a synagogue in Beit Shemesh that operated in violation of the public health orders, "said the police in a statement.
"Fines of NIS 500 were imposed on each person [except minors] as well as NIS 5,000 [on the individual who ran the synagogue] for violating Health Ministry directives.
In addition, police arrested a suspect who spat at a Border Police officer, and who was brought for further questioning for the crime of assaulting a police officer."
Members of so-called Hilltop Youth won't comply with emergency regulations and enter quarantine in Jerusalem motel, clash with police seeking alternative at detention facility in southern Israel
Some 20 young settlers from the West Bank settlements clashed with police late Monday as they refused to go into isolation despite having had direct contact with a confirmed coronavirus patient.
The members of the so-called Hilltop Youth were taken by military vehicle to Jerusalem to spend their isolation period in one of the city’s motels designated for that use, but apparently refused to stay in separate rooms as per government directives.
Police said that as a result of the settlers' refusal to comply with regulations, an alternative was being sought for them in southern Israel, with a detention facility in the Negev being the most likely location.
On the way there under police escort, however, the youths started to riot, damaging the bus in which they were traveling. video
Their police escort managed to subdue the youths and returned them to Jerusalem, leaving the question of where they would spent their isolation period to other officials.
The police said that after the isolation period is over, the youths will most likely face a police investigation due the damage they inflicted during their riot.
According to witnesses, the youths tried to escape the bus and were then detained, although the youths claimed that they were taken to a detention center for non reason.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, the lawyer for several of the youths, said: "The system’s conduct is unclear. True, the boys should have gone into the motel, but they should still have been given food instead of being surrounded by policemen with clubs."
After having met with several of the youths, GOC Central Command- Major General Nadav Padan went into isolation in accordance with Health Ministry directives.
Some 20 young settlers from the West Bank settlements clashed with police late Monday as they refused to go into isolation despite having had direct contact with a confirmed coronavirus patient.
The members of the so-called Hilltop Youth were taken by military vehicle to Jerusalem to spend their isolation period in one of the city’s motels designated for that use, but apparently refused to stay in separate rooms as per government directives.
Police said that as a result of the settlers' refusal to comply with regulations, an alternative was being sought for them in southern Israel, with a detention facility in the Negev being the most likely location.
On the way there under police escort, however, the youths started to riot, damaging the bus in which they were traveling. video
Their police escort managed to subdue the youths and returned them to Jerusalem, leaving the question of where they would spent their isolation period to other officials.
The police said that after the isolation period is over, the youths will most likely face a police investigation due the damage they inflicted during their riot.
According to witnesses, the youths tried to escape the bus and were then detained, although the youths claimed that they were taken to a detention center for non reason.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, the lawyer for several of the youths, said: "The system’s conduct is unclear. True, the boys should have gone into the motel, but they should still have been given food instead of being surrounded by policemen with clubs."
After having met with several of the youths, GOC Central Command- Major General Nadav Padan went into isolation in accordance with Health Ministry directives.
30 mar 2020
|
|
While most of Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox community is slowly implementing measures to halt the spread of the outbreak, some are refusing to listen to their rabbis and react with hostility to any attempt to crack down on their movements
Police officers trying to enforce measures to counter coronavirus in ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods of Jerusalem have come under attack from local residents hurling stones and insults. Most of the insular community are beginning to obey the ban on mass gatherings and non-essential trips out of the home, but some members of an extreme ultra-Orthodox sect clashed with police Monday as they moved to close down the dozens of synagogues that remained open in the capital. The clashes erupted when members of the community refused to identify themselves to police who were handing out fines for violating the guidelines. Police arrested at least 10 people and handed out 25 fines of NIS 5,000 and five for NIS 500. Officers used tear gas to disperse the crowd, who called them "Nazis" and hurled stones. A Magen David Adom paramedic also came under attack and was wounded by stones hurled at him as he was preparing to enter a home in Jerusalem to administer a test for the coronavirus. |
The ultra-Orthodox health minister Yaakov Litzman condemned what he said was the act of a fringe group against someone "who is protecting lives at great risk to his own."
Roadblocks have been set up in and around the Haredi neighborhood of Mea Shearim, with those found to be in violation of restrictions receiving fines.
Images of the Haredi community routinely violating increasingly stringent regulations sparked anger in other sectors who have been abiding by the directives in an effort to stem the spread of the virus.
Since the Jerusalem police force has increased its enforcement of the regulations in the ultra-Orthodox area, they have reported a decline in violations. Even so, extreme factions in the community persist in their opposition.
On Sunday, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, considered a major figure of authority in the Haredi world, called on his flock to adhere to directives and remain at home. Kanievsky also ruled synagogues should remain closed to prevent further spread of coronavirus among the ultra-Orthodox.
Two weeks ago he had opposed government guidelines insisting that the study of the Torah must not be interrupted and that religious seminaries must remain open.
Alarming numbers of infections among ultra-Orthodox communities around the world and in Israel might be behind the rabbi's decision to rule that the sanctity of life must be observed.
Using the strongest possible terms, Kanievsky ruled that each Jew should pray at home in private and not congregate even in groups of 10 as permitted by the Health Ministry guidelines.
His authority is respected by many ultra-Orthodox Jews but not by the extreme factions that are continuing to violate directives.
On Saturday, hundreds participated in a funeral procession for a local rabbi while police failed to disperse the mourners, causing much anger among neighbors who fear for their lives.
Among Israel's coronavirus cases, 29% were infected in synagogues or at a religious event.
Authorities are considering imposing closures on the areas most affected by the virus in order to prevent further spread and contamination.
Update 30 mar: Watch religious Jews celebrate the release of their comrades after they were arrested by the occupation police in Jerusalem because of the gathering
Roadblocks have been set up in and around the Haredi neighborhood of Mea Shearim, with those found to be in violation of restrictions receiving fines.
Images of the Haredi community routinely violating increasingly stringent regulations sparked anger in other sectors who have been abiding by the directives in an effort to stem the spread of the virus.
Since the Jerusalem police force has increased its enforcement of the regulations in the ultra-Orthodox area, they have reported a decline in violations. Even so, extreme factions in the community persist in their opposition.
On Sunday, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, considered a major figure of authority in the Haredi world, called on his flock to adhere to directives and remain at home. Kanievsky also ruled synagogues should remain closed to prevent further spread of coronavirus among the ultra-Orthodox.
Two weeks ago he had opposed government guidelines insisting that the study of the Torah must not be interrupted and that religious seminaries must remain open.
Alarming numbers of infections among ultra-Orthodox communities around the world and in Israel might be behind the rabbi's decision to rule that the sanctity of life must be observed.
Using the strongest possible terms, Kanievsky ruled that each Jew should pray at home in private and not congregate even in groups of 10 as permitted by the Health Ministry guidelines.
His authority is respected by many ultra-Orthodox Jews but not by the extreme factions that are continuing to violate directives.
On Saturday, hundreds participated in a funeral procession for a local rabbi while police failed to disperse the mourners, causing much anger among neighbors who fear for their lives.
Among Israel's coronavirus cases, 29% were infected in synagogues or at a religious event.
Authorities are considering imposing closures on the areas most affected by the virus in order to prevent further spread and contamination.
Update 30 mar: Watch religious Jews celebrate the release of their comrades after they were arrested by the occupation police in Jerusalem because of the gathering
17 mar 2020
6 troops are among 21 people, most from same extended family, arrested following three-month undercover investigation into theft of munitions that were replaced with malfunctioning fakes
Twenty-one people - including six IDF soldiers - have been arrested for involvement in a plot to smuggle weapons and ammunition, following an investigation by the military police and the Shin Bet security service.
The six soldiers are stationed at a transportation base in the south; two newly demobbed soldiers were also detained.
Many of the detainees are members of the same extended Bedouin family from the Negev.
Two Palestinian residents of Hebron were also arrested, along with a number of Israeli citizens.
According to the investigation revealed Monday, weapons and ammunition were stolen from military bases and replaced by forged equipment that then malfunctioned. The alleged plot took advantage of the soldiers' roles as drivers as well as their access to arms depots.
Some of the stolen arms were allegedly sold to criminal elements in the Negev and others were said to have been transported into Palestinian Authority territory.
The military police began investigating the case in 2019 following reports of malfunctioning weapons. The military police officers were able to trace the incidents to the time the soldiers were on hand to replace parts and transport military equipment out of the base.
An attempt to smuggle 4,000 bullets into the West Bank, which was uncovered by police in December, led investigators to the suspected soldiers and helped advance the investigation.
After three months of undercover investigation, some attempts to smuggle weapons were halted, although not all of these efforts were successful.
The soldiers told investigators that they had received NIS 1.5 for every bullet they stole and NIS 3,000-5,000 for a gun barrel.
One of the detained soldiers is believed to be at the center of the alleged conspiracy.
No connection to any terrorist group has been established, the authorities said.
Four indictments were handed down Monday and more are expected.
The police said: "We are continuing in our efforts to fight the illegal arms trade and are using all tools at our disposal in cooperation with other law enforcement authorities, to remove criminals from the public sphere and ensure the safety of citizens."
Twenty-one people - including six IDF soldiers - have been arrested for involvement in a plot to smuggle weapons and ammunition, following an investigation by the military police and the Shin Bet security service.
The six soldiers are stationed at a transportation base in the south; two newly demobbed soldiers were also detained.
Many of the detainees are members of the same extended Bedouin family from the Negev.
Two Palestinian residents of Hebron were also arrested, along with a number of Israeli citizens.
According to the investigation revealed Monday, weapons and ammunition were stolen from military bases and replaced by forged equipment that then malfunctioned. The alleged plot took advantage of the soldiers' roles as drivers as well as their access to arms depots.
Some of the stolen arms were allegedly sold to criminal elements in the Negev and others were said to have been transported into Palestinian Authority territory.
The military police began investigating the case in 2019 following reports of malfunctioning weapons. The military police officers were able to trace the incidents to the time the soldiers were on hand to replace parts and transport military equipment out of the base.
An attempt to smuggle 4,000 bullets into the West Bank, which was uncovered by police in December, led investigators to the suspected soldiers and helped advance the investigation.
After three months of undercover investigation, some attempts to smuggle weapons were halted, although not all of these efforts were successful.
The soldiers told investigators that they had received NIS 1.5 for every bullet they stole and NIS 3,000-5,000 for a gun barrel.
One of the detained soldiers is believed to be at the center of the alleged conspiracy.
No connection to any terrorist group has been established, the authorities said.
Four indictments were handed down Monday and more are expected.
The police said: "We are continuing in our efforts to fight the illegal arms trade and are using all tools at our disposal in cooperation with other law enforcement authorities, to remove criminals from the public sphere and ensure the safety of citizens."
