JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Hundreds of Chasidim of the Toldos Avraham Yitzchak sect demonstrated outside a cellular phone store in central Geula Sunday evening. The chasidim were dispersed by police, who used water cannon and other dispersal methods on the gathering.
ירושלים,דיווח על שוטר פצוע בהפגנה נגד חנות סלולר בשכונת גאולה💡👇 pic.twitter.com/gRAYp42EKk
— Real News IL (@RealNewsIL) January 23, 2022
Protesters break store front during demonstration
Initially police attempted to protect the store from the angry protesters, who included the Admor of Toldos Avraham Yitzchak as well as other senior members of the sect including Rabbi Shimon Dov Bransdorfer and Rabbi Shmuel Bransdorfer who spoke to the gathering.
After the rabbis spoke the crowd sparred with police. Some of the assembled protesters succeeded in bypassing police and breaking open the door of the store. Six protesters were arrested and traffic was backed up on Malchei Israel street as police dispersed the demonstration.
Police released a statement saying that ” a short time after the beginning of protests at the site, tens of rioters began creating a public disturbance and blocking the street. Later they caused damage to a store, attacked police and damaged a police van. After police told them to disperse and they continued to demonstrate, police arrested three suspects for allegedly causing damage and public disturbance. Two policemen were lightly injured and received treatment at the scene.”
Demonstrators have stepped up their struggle in the last few weeks against three stores selling non-kosher phones in the Geula neighborhood. Some of the protesters explained to Kikar Hashabat that they simply wish to prevent their children from being exposed to internet. “Those who want to sell non-kosher phones can do so on Jaffa street, we don’t know why they come to our neighborhood. We’re not demonstrating against all stores in Jerusalem.”
A few weeks ago one of the three stores was targeted by protesters who attempted to set it on fire. Another store had its window smashed but continues to be active in the neighborhood.