Violence in Bnei Brak reached a new level late Sunday night, as violent Hafganos erupted around the city, and a group that locals have labelled “Chareidi Antifa” are causing destruction around the city. UPDATE: some rioters appear not to be Chareidi or even religious.
At one location, protesters stopped a bus on Kahneman Street, attacked the driver, forced him off, and literally set the bus on fire.
Local residents began to scream to the residents in the nearby buildings to evacuate, as the heat of the fire began melting the windows.
People began calling the fire department, but they refused to respond until they received a police escort – due to the fact that they are repeatedly attacked by Chareidi extremists when responding to Chareidi neighborhoods. They eventually responded – after more than 30 minutes – and extinguished the blaze.
A group of locals went to the local Fire Department Headquarters and literally banged on the doors.
Local residents told YWN that there were hundreds of boys roaming the streets since all Yeshivas are closed, and were literally terrorizing the entire city – which is prompting a forceful response from police.
The bus fire was just one items of violence by this marauding gang of “Chareidi ANTIFA”.
However, it turns out that some of the individuals responsible for terrorizing the entire city the past few days do not dress Chareidi, look Chareidi, or even try and act Chareidi. They are dropouts from other neighborhoods, who came to the area to join the community protesting the closures of the Yeshivas due to COVID. Some of them are not religious at all.
Earlier on Sunday, the Mayor of Bnei Brak, R’ Avrohom Rubenstein the former Mayor of Bnei Brak, R’ Chanoch Zeibart, and MK R’ Yitzchok Pindrus came under attack from an angry mob while walking in Bnei Brak.
Rubenstein managed to get into his car, which was then attacked by the mob, as they smashed his mirrors and caused other damage.
Police were investigating all incidents, and a wave arrests can be expected.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)