Haredi violence in the Ramat Beit Shemesh neighborhood of Beit Shemesh
continued for a third straight day today as dozens of haredim confronted
police and private security guards. The haredim called them "Nazis" and
"murderers,” and tried to force their way into a construction site in
which they claim ancient Jewish graves are being desecrated.
Haredi rioter injured in fight with police, Beit Shemesh 8-14-2013
Third Day Of Haredi Riots In Beit Shemesh Leads To 3 Arrests
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
Haredi violence in the Ramat Beit Shemesh neighborhood of Beit Shemesh continued for a third straight day today as dozens of haredim confronted police and private security guards. The haredim called them "Nazis" and "murderers,” and tried to force their way into a construction site in which they claim ancient Jewish graves are being desecrated.
One of the private security guards responded to the haredi insults by stoning the haredim. Police told Ynet that he was detained and brought to the police station for questioning. The guard was summarily fired by the private security company he worked for, as well.
A Border Police officer was lightly injured in clashes with haredim and was treated at scene.
One of the haredim received a head injury when he fought with police and was transported to Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital in Jerusalem for treatment.
Three haredim were arrested.
The haredim are affiliated with the Asra Kasisha organization which purportedly prevents the desecration of ancient Jewish graves.
But a Channel 2 investigative report last year found that Asra Kadisha extorts developers and archaeologists, and often will allow construction or excavation to go on – if Asra Kadisha is paid. Asra Kadisha also physically threatens developers and archaeologists and, of course, riots.
Asra Kadisha is essentially a subsidiary or component of the Mea-Shearim-based haredi umbrella organization Edah Haredit.
The majority of Edah Haredit rabbis believe the Beit Shemesh construction project is disturbing ancient Jewish graves. But the head of Edah Haredit’s beit din (rabbinical court) Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch disagrees, as do many non-Eidah haredi rabbis.
The project’s elderly developer, himself haredi, was reportedly savagely beaten by a gang of Asra Kadisha thugs last week.
The number of haredi rioters at the site has reportedly decreased. Hundreds rioted on Monday, but police arrested 29.
The number of rioters, still over 200, was somewhat less yesterday. No arrests were made.
Various initial estimates put the number of haredim protesting and rioting today at approximately 50.
Three haredi rabbis sent by senior haredi leader Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky came to the construction site this morning to gather the information needed to rule on the claims made by Asra Kadisha.
Ahrale Yakter, the Chairman of the Association for the Prevention of Desecration of Graves, a competitor of Asra Kadisha, told the Jerusalem Post that the visiting rabbis wanted a representative of Asra Kadisha to be with them during their tour of the construction site.
That request was refused – the Post does not say by whom – and the visiting rabbis chose not to enter the site.
Related Posts:
Haredim Riot In Beit Shemesh, Jerusalem.
One Day After Violent Riots, Haredim Riot Again.
Elderly Haredi Developer Savagely Beaten By Haredi Thugs Over Alleged Graves Desecration.
For Second Day, Hundreds Of Haredim Riot In Beit Shemesh; Police AWOL, Ineffective.
MK Rabbi Dov Lipman Calls For Police, Courts To Crack Down On Violent Haredim.