Hundredsof haredim were involved in violentriots in Jaffa on Wednesday, in Rehov Louis Pasteur around the site of an archeological dig. The haredim maintain that the works desecrate the sanctity of ancientbones at the site. Rabbi Tuvia Weiss, the senior rabbinic leader ofthe Eda Haredit Badatz (rabbinical court), was on the scene to encourage the protestersand lead a prayer against those working at the site.
Policesaid the demonstration was illegal, that they were attacked with bricks and rocks and that the demonstrators set fire to trash cans. Therewere attempts to knock policemen from their horses and fivepolicemen were reported injured.The demonstrators broke into the old Jewish cemetery, which is close to the site of the dig.LouisPasteur and YefetStreet are closed to traffic.A couple of days ago, two hundred haredim protested near the site and three demonstrators were arrested. Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) reported that vandalshad ransacked an archaeological excavation of buildings from the late-Ottoman period in Jaffa on Sunday night."Thedamage done to these impressive buildings from the late Ottoman era is irreversible," said Dr. Yoav Arbel, director of the excavation. Thearchaeological dig is taking place before the construction of a high-rise building.Haredim have demonstrated against archaeological digs in the area several times because of their opposition to disturbing Jewish graves on the site.
Hundreds of haredim riot in Jaffa
Rioters say archaeological dig violates graves, 5 policemen injured.
