29 arrested in riots at 'Golovenzitz' • wave of riots at 'Neturei Karta' centers

Stormy in Beit Shemesh: Israeli police detained 29 haredim who demonstrated at the construction site Goloventzitz, where construction began this morning. The protesters claim that the tractors which started working in the area are causing the desecration of the graves of ancestors.

Witnesses who were on site told that about 100 demonstrators arrived. "The protesters came here from the morning hours to protest, but they can not get close to the area itself, because the police fenced the area far from the work of tractors and bulldozers. Anyone who tried to enter the territory itself - was detained by the police or repelled by security guards hired to do so".



A protester who spoke with Behadrey HAredim directly from the demonstration, said: "We'll stay here until they stop the work. They brought haredi security guards to remove us. I can not understand how haredi people assist in desecration of graves?"

Demonstrators, who are affiliated with the organization Atra Kadisha, arrived this morning (Monday) to demonstrate against the work carried out in the area on behalf of Binyan Shalem organization, which belongs to Degel HaTorah. The association carries out the work after most of its homebuyers refused to accept the strict supervision of Atra Kadisha, and accepted the opinion of Rav"d Eida Haredis Hagaon Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch and Hgr"n Karelitz, permitting the construction at the site.

Inspectors arrived this morning from the Eretz Hachayim organization which is 'competing' with Atra Kadisha, to closely monitor the work at the place. Meanwhile, Hamodia newspaper published this morning the letter of Av Beis Din Haeida Hachareidis, Hgri"t Weiss and other members of the Beis Din, according to which it is forbidden to dig in the Beit Shemesh site altogether.

As mentioned, the police detained 29 demonstrators, some due to riots and others on suspicion of assaulting police officers.

Later, protesters arrived at Nehar Hayarden Street in Beit Shemesh and Kikar HaShabbat in Jerusalem, where disturbances are taking place. The protesters set fire to garbage bins and blocked roads to protest the arrests conducted and excavations at the construction site. Police closed nearby streets.

Since the morning hours MDA drives and Hatzala Team have treated ten casualties in a demonstration at the construction site. All casualties are civilians affected by injuries and falls. So far three casualties have been evacuated to hospitals including: a broken foot and a youth who was hurt by water sprinkled by a water cannon and broke his crown - his condition is defined light to medium.

At the same time, natural wood fire broke out on Ein Gedi Street in Beit Shemesh, near the demonstration area. Three fire crews arrived to extinguish the fire, were attacked with stones by the rioters, but no one was injured.

The Golovenzitz site, this morning • Photos: Yaakov Lederman

jerusalem

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