Lapid: 'Bullying will not win' • Litzman: Stop the rampant incitement

September 9, 2017   

The ongoing struggle between secular and ultra-Orthodox in Arad deteriorated again this evening (Saturday night): Hundreds of Gur Hasidim in Arad went out to protest a derogatory sign, on which was printed the picture of the Rebbe of Gur, which a secular resident had hung outside the window of her home in the southern city, along with the inscription: "Arad is not for sale." There were heated verbal clashes between the Hasidim and secular residents who came out to confront them, with pressure between the parties. According to reports reaching the police, the Hasidim threw burning tires at the house, which were extinguished by the secular people who were there. The Hasidim also claimed that the mayor, Nissan Ben Hamu, from the Yesh Atid faction, arrived at the scene with the aim of inflaming the spirits and inciting against the Haredi public. The police forces, who arrived at the scene with reinforced forces, including the station commander and Yasm teams, subsequently set up blockades on both sides of the street, and did not allow entry to it, Except for the residents of the street. Punches, pushes, spitting • Watch the fight in the streets of Arad [vimeo url="https://vimeo.com/233143069" width="600" height="400" responsive="yes" autoplay="no"] Hanna, a resident of Arad, claimed in a conversation with News 2: "The Haredim threw burning tires into the yard because the resident of the building hung a sign with a picture of their rabbi. The whole city was supposed to hang signs like that, now they won't. They threw fire extinguishers, pepper spray. We violated their sanctity, the rabbi." Following the riots and the arrival of Gur Hasidim from Hasidic centers in other cities, police checkpoints were set up on the roads. One checkpoint was already set up about 60 km before the city of Arad. Police officers who boarded the bus demanded that everyone show identification. After a lengthy delay, they allowed the bus to continue on its way. The mayor of Arad, Attorney Nissan Ben Hamo, arrived at the scene of the clashes and Aller responded on his Facebook: "Today a red line was crossed by the bullying of Gur Hasidim in Arad. It began with an attempt to throw a burning tire into the yard of a house in the city and ended with an attack on police officers. "The attempt to terrorize the residents of the city and the municipality will not succeed, the attempt to turn a political debate into a religious war will also not succeed. I call on the Israel Police to bring the rioters to justice and ask the residents of the city not to be dragged along by the extremists who are trying to dictate the public agenda.". Watch: Gur Hasidim gather in the streets • Photo courtesy: Ilya Levitas [vimeo url="https://vimeo.com/233141509" width="600" height="400" responsive="yes" autoplay="no"] The police spokeswoman said: "Following a report received by the police about the throwing of several burning tires on Gilad Street in Arad, which were immediately extinguished by residents, police were dispatched to the scene. Searches are underway for the suspects. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation." Another police statement said: "Following the incident of throwing burning tires on Gilad Street in the city, a mutual protest is currently taking place at the scene between ultra-Orthodox and secular residents of Arad. Police are on the scene and so far no unusual incidents have been recorded." Yesh Atid Party Chairman, MK Yair Lapid tweeted: "I stand behind Arad Mayor Nissan Ben Hamo and the residents. Bullying will not win. The police must deal harshly with the violence of the ultra-Orthodox.".

Because of a sign against Gur Hasidim? Burning tires near the home of an Arad resident - and demonstrations by Haredim and secularists. @bokeralmog With the report >> https://t.co/kAq3eiHrDo pic.twitter.com/3zTxMyHXar

— News 13 (@newsisrael13) September 9, 2017

Health Minister Yaakov Litzman responded: "In an irresponsible move, MK Lapid chooses to inflame the atmosphere in Arad, join in the wild incitement and give a tailwind to violence against the Haredi residents of Arad - who suffer from the extreme and offensive behavior of the mayor, a Yesh Atid representative." Litzman, who left Jerusalem for Arad, added: "The police must come to their senses immediately and stop the rampant incitement in Arad against the Haredi before it is too late.". The Minister of Health with the police chief in Arad. Photo: Spokesperson