Injuries, Arrests as Orthodox Clash with Israel Police
Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews clashed with police in a conservative neighborhood of Jerusalem on Wednesday as tax officials tried to carry out inspections, a police spokesman told Agence France Presse.
Micky Rosenfeld said six police officers were slightly injured as some 300 protestors threw projectiles at them, and six demonstrators were arrested for taking part in the disturbances.
Rosenfeld said tax authority representatives entered the Mea Shearim neighbourhood on Wednesday morning to carry out "examinations, check-ups and closures" of several businesses.
"Disturbances developed involving representatives of the community. Stones and other objects were thrown at police officers," he said.
Rosenfeld said clashes continued on Wednesday afternoon, hours after they started, and that additional police units had been deployed to reinforce officers on the scene.
Israeli media reported that the clashes started when tax inspectors tried to close down an illegal slaughterhouse in the neighborhood.
Much of Israel's ultra-Orthodox community rejects the authority of the Jewish state, adhering instead to strict interpretations of Jewish scripture issued by their religious leaders.
13 July 2011, 16:36
01
This is one of the main reasons that Israel does not want peace. With peace with their neighbours and no external threat to unite them, the ultra orthodox Jews (Hasidic) and secular Jews will turn on each other. The Hasidic Jews do not believe in the zionist state of Israel... Believing that only the messiah can bring about the return of biblical Israel. Civil war will erupt without a common external enemy to unite them.
14 July 2011, 17:53
20
Ado.Australia, we say that tongue has no bone.
We'll I want to guess what would have happen in Australia if a group who wouldn't recognize the chosen government will refuse to pay its taxes, municipality payments, water consumption and Electric bills.
But to ask and receive social benefits.
Presume even in Lebanon will be same if group of people wouldn't like to pay their duties.
If they do not accept the state don't ask for benefits -Agreed:?
It has nothing to do with internal wars or secular against orthodox.
As one of the reason you live in Australia is that in Lebanon was no paradise for similar reasons.
