Jerusalem Light Rail Vandals Have Caused 326M NIS Of Damage, Gvt. Admits In Budget Discussions

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The price of the charedi vandalism against the Green Line of the Jerusalem light rail system has spiralled to 326 million NIS, according to reports revealed in the Knesset finance committee.

During a discussion about increasing the 2024 budget, the finance ministry attempted to divert 78 million NIS to “public transport” – although in the explanatory booklet the request was for security and payment of damages to the contractors of the light rail. This sum is in addition to 248 million NIS which have already been transferred to pay for the heavy damage incurred by contractors since 2020, thus making the total damages 326 million NIS.

In response to opposition member’s complaints about prioritizing the light rail, The finance ministry argued that the money must be transferred in order that the entire 13.8 billion NIS light rail project can be completed. “They burnt equipment and delayed the contractors operations, causing them significant losses. These need to be reimbursed,” a finance ministry official said.

The damage has also delayed the planned opening of the new light rail route from the end of 2025 to the middle of 2026. The route traverses northern Jerusalem, connecting the Hebrew University on Mt. Scopus to the Givat Ram campus. Charedi residents near Bar Ilan St. claim that the train will lead to the cancellation of bus routes and will force them to travel with secular residents of the capital.

Opposition members at the committee questioned why police were not making more arrests to curb the violent demonstrations and prevent the damage and the need for security which greatly increases costs. MK Naama Lazimi (Labor) fumed that the budget was similar to that required to rehabilitate the entire northern region, yet the light rail was preferred in the meantime. Other MKs asked why the money should not be used for preventing road accidents, in a year which has seen the highest number of casualties in 20 years.

The police responded, stating that “Police are working determinedly against violence and vandalism regarding the opposition of extremist elements to the light rail work. Since the beginning of the construction work on the route, more than 200 suspects have been arrested for causing disorder, violence and vandalism and tens of indictments have been issued. Civil damage suits have also been submitted against a number of people involved. Police presence has been increased and this has  led to a significant drop in vandalism in the area, and police activity will continue until completion of the work.”