This is how the joy of the 'Seventh of Passover' evening in Zichron Yaakov was disrupted: Residents of one of the neighborhoods in the town clashed with dozens of members of the 'Shuvo Banim' community who had come to the city because they believed that Rabbi Eliezer Berland was staying there under house arrest.
Local residents complain about a blatant violation of their daily routine.
Shai Shapira and Monis Zahalka, a News 12 crew who came to document the clashes, came under attack themselves and received threats from members of the Bratslav community.
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Dvora Ozer, a resident of Zichron Yaakov, told Hadashot 12: "They started taking over the entire area. They entered our building and hid in an electrical room, brought all their equipment and they started praying loudly and going wild and shouting and singing. The police arrived, a few minutes later, they left, gathered again, and it's been like this all day for almost two weeks now.".
Dafna Berman-Blum, a resident of the city, said: "The building where I live was invaded by dozens of Hasidim who stood on the roof of the building and started shouting and going wild. I went up to the roof and politely asked: 'Clear the place - you have trespassed on private property,' they didn't pay attention. They broke the lock on the entrance to the building.".
Ziv Deshe, head of the Zichron Yaakov local council, said: "The sheep of Berland's flock are breaking into houses, apartments, and climbing onto roofs. There is also a disturbance of public order here from time to time. Such events cannot continue here in this neighborhood.".
He said, "The council operates through a variety of channels. I can't go into all of them and list them all right now. The police, of course, need to increase their presence and enforcement here, along with our supervision, which is here at every stage necessary.".
Israel Police response to Channel 12: "Any report that raises suspicion of committing a criminal offense is handled, including reports that were handled on suspicion of trespassing and creating noise in the area. Along with this, we note that gathering in a public space does not constitute a criminal offense.".
Rabbi Eliezer Berland is accused in the 'Black Oppression' case. He has previously served a prison sentence for serious crimes.
About two months ago, after a year in detention, the Jerusalem District Court decided to release him to house arrest, on the condition that the location be kept confidential and that he not be allowed to come into contact with his people.
