Harsh violence at Eida demonstration: 11 policemen wounded, 8 protesters arrested

Demonstration of the 'Eida Haredis', along with factors associated with them among the Litvishe public - against the recruit decree, was held on Thursday evening, next to the recruiting office on Rashi Street in Makor Baruch, Jerusalem.

Thousands of participants reached the demonstration, as well as many curious. The large Hasidic and Litvishe circles that make up the United Torah Judaism, such as Shas - did not take part in the demonstration, and most rabbis and Gedolei Yisroel refrained from supporting it, even indirectly.

The demonstration, held with police license, slipped quickly into violence and led to severe scenes of Chilul Hashem. Already at the outset of the demonstration there were a number of violent incidents, with occasional throwing of objects and bottles to the police secured the demonstration. Even the journalist Yossi Zilberman of Channel 2 News was physically attacked, but was not injured.

The throwing of stones and objects at the police who were stationed on Gesher Hachaim Street went on for a long time, with occasional clashes between demonstrators and police breaking out. At the height of the violence a firecracker was thrown at the police.

Two policemen and four Border Police officers were injured in stone throwing, and were treated by MDA Jerusalem. One of them was taken to Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem in mild to moderate condition, and three others were taken to Shaarei Tzedek in a mild condition.

During the night there were a number of throwing stones at police and Border police on Gesher Hachaim street, the scene of the demonstration, three other police officers were injured and taken to hospital in an easy condition. Altogether the casualties from stone throwing who were evacuated to various hospitals were nine police officers.

At least eight protesters were arrested during the violence.

The massive attack against the officers began shortly after 21:00, when demonstrators began attacking police officers stationed there, set fire to garbage bins and continued to throw stones. The police, which initially showed restraint, began to come in occasionally to disperse the rioters.

Due to outbreaks of violence, the police opened a special front command room at the Turim gas station. For the purpose of taking control over the scene, more police forces were brought in from the Negev, Lachish, Dan and Center districts.

Shortly after 22:00, the police began to clear the street. Police said hundreds of haredi protesters rolled down metal garbage carts towards the police, who used stun grenades to disperse the rioters.

At the same time, near the Jerusalem Gates Hotel there was a demonstration of some dozens of anarchists supporting the Haredim, who called not to join the army. The anarchist protesters tried to march in procession from the place of demonstration, but the police force stopped them and brought them back to the Jerusalem Gates Hotel location.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!