Clashes in Safed and Meron: Haredi protesters tried to block bus departures

Physical clashes were reported in Safed and Meron, as about 100 Haredi protesters tried to prevent buses from departing toward Nahariya before the Sabbath, in protest against the operation of public transportation on Shabbat. About 25 activists, including residents of Safed and the Galilee, arrived to enable the lines to depart. Police separated the sides, detained several involved individuals, and secured the departure of the buses.

Physical clashes were reported today (Saturday) in Safed and Meron, as part of the ongoing protest against the operation of public transportation on Shabbat. About 100 Haredi protesters tried to prevent buses from leaving the central station in Safed toward Nahariya before the Sabbath. They were confronted by about 25 activists, including residents of Safed and the Galilee region, who arrived to enable the lines to depart. During the protest, friction developed between the sides; in one instance, a Haredi protester snatched a megaphone from one female protester and struck another female protester in the face. Police forces on site separated the sides, detained several involved individuals for questioning, and secured the orderly departure of the buses. Later, the activists reported that the incident in Safed had ended and the protesters dispersed. Meanwhile, at the Meron junction, Haredi protesters also demonstrated, attempting to delay buses, and were confronted by residents and activists from the "Derech Hofshit" movement. Attorney Tomer Ben Hamo from the "Hozer Hadash Karmiel" movement said that the buses departed with the help of police and activists, and that they came to strengthen freedom of movement in the public sphere.