Haredim supporting Asra Kadisha, the graves protection organization
affiliated with the Mea-Shearim-based haredi umbrella organization Edah
Haredit, rioted in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh this morning after police
arrested 29 of the approximately 100 Asra Kadisha protestors who tried
to block construction at a building site in Beit Shemesh after they
rioted and attacked police.
One of the areas of rioting in Jerusalem this morning
Updtated at 2:58 pm CDT
Haredim Riot In Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
Haredim supporting Asra Kadisha, the graves protection organization affiliated with the Mea-Shearim-based haredi umbrella organization Edah Haredit, rioted in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh this morning after police arrested 29 of the approximately 100 Asra Kadisha protestors who tried to block construction at a building site in Beit Shemesh after they rioted and attacked police, Ynet reported.
Asra Kadisha claims the building’s construction will disturb ancient graves, but that claim is not universally accepted by haredi rabbis outside of the Edah Haredit orbit.
After the arrests in Beit Shemesh were made, haredim there continued rioting, burning garbage dumpsters and blocking a road. They also reportedly set a grove of trees on fire and then stoned firefighters who came to extinguish the flames. until a large deployment of police dispersed them.
When the news reached Jerusalem, haredim set garbage dumpsters on fire and blocked roads in the Geula and Mea Shearim neighborhoods.
They also threw rocks at public buses, breaking their windows.
Despite the riots, construction work at the Beit Shemesh site reportedly continues as police guard the area.
Asra Kadisha activists allegedly savagely beat the elderly haredi developer of the Beit Shemesh project in his home several days ago.