Violent Clashes Erupt in Jerusalem Between Charedim and Police; 13 Police Officers Injured

Violent clashes broke out Thursday afternoon in Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighborhood, where Chareidi protesters confronted police following a reported municipal enforcement action. Thirteen police officers were injured during the disturbances, some requiring hospital treatment, and four suspects were arrested, police said.

The incident quickly escalated into one of the most serious outbreaks of unrest in the Chareidi sector in recent months, drawing heavy police reinforcements and sparking additional protests elsewhere in the country later that night.

According to police and municipal officials, the events began during a routine enforcement operation, when a municipal inspector issued a ticket to a young Charedi man. The inspector was supposedly attacked, prompting police to be called to the scene. During the encounter, officers discovered that those involved were draft evaders, a development that served as the immediate trigger for the unrest.

Within minutes, hundreds of rioters gathered in the area, surrounding police forces and engaging in violent behavior. Protesters threw stones and objects at officers, caused extensive damage to police vehicles, and at the height of the clashes overturned a police patrol car. Large forces of Israel Police and Border Police, including Yasam units, were deployed to regain control, using crowd-dispersal measures as the disturbances intensified.

Alongside the street clashes, multiple videos circulated widely on social media. Footage shows a Yasam officer chasing protesters up a residential stairwell and striking them with a baton who appeared to have already left the scene. Additional recordings show a stun grenade thrown directly toward demonstrators and officers smashing a car window and forcibly removing a passenger. Police have not commented specifically on the individual incidents shown in the videos.

In an official statement, police said that following the attack on the municipal enforcement team, “hundreds of violent rioters gathered, throwing stones and objects, damaging police vehicles and injuring 13 officers, some of whom were evacuated for medical treatment.” The statement added that police used dispersal measures, pushed rioters back, and carried out arrests, with four suspects detained so far.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir condemned the unrest, saying: “I strongly condemn the riots by extremist elements in Jerusalem. Attacking police officers by lawless citizens is a red line.” Ben Gvir added that he was giving full backing to police officers operating to maintain public order.

Israel Police Commissioner also addressed the events, describing them as “a very serious incident of public disorder and attacks on police officers.” He said police would “hold all those involved to account” and wished a speedy recovery to the injured officers.

Later in the evening, protests linked to the Jerusalem unrest spread to additional locations. Demonstrations were reported at the entrances to Ashkelon, where groups of protesters blocked roads and clashed with police, as well as along sections of Highway 4, including areas near Bnei Brak. Police said traffic disruptions were caused in several locations, and officers were deployed to disperse crowds and restore order.

Representatives of the Jerusalem Faction said the protests were part of what they described as a “mass protest against the persecution of the Torah world.” Police emphasized that while protest is permitted within the bounds of the law, they would act decisively against road blockages, attacks on officers, and violent disturbances.