A virtual pogrom took place in the chareidi community of
Ramat Beit Shemesh this past Shabbos (parshas
Vayishlach, 18 Kislev). This is regarded as a result of
the ever-increasing verbal incitement against the chareidi
community in Beit Shemesh, particularly after the
demonstration a week ago against the proliferation of new
pork stores in the city.
40 secular rioters arrived in the one-hundred-percent
chareidi neighborhood with their cars on Shabbos
kodesh afternoon. The rioters beat passersby and threw
stones at the homes of neighborhood residents.
The group, which clearly came to provoke, first honked their
horns in order to goad the residents. The honking continued,
but the residents did not react. A while later, two
avreichim went outside for mincha, and when
they saw the cars they cried "Shabbos." Hearing these cries,
the rabid drivers got out of their cars. Armed with knives
and clubs, they began to pursue the avreichim, pushing
down a woman who was walking down the street.
They then began to throw stones at homes and porches, and
damaged property. Other residents heard the commotion and
went outside in order to protect themselves. A police van
which arrived on the scene by chance did not manage to subdue
the rioters, who continued to shout derogatory remarks at the
residents and threaten to disturb the peace.
The residents relate that barking of dogs was heard from the
cars, although the rioters did not unleash them. Suddenly,
one of the drivers opened the baggage compartment of his car
and took out a huge knife. He then began to pursue the
chareidi residents with the intention of harming them. One of
the residents managed to overpower the man and, by a miracle,
a tragedy was prevented.
The police van on the site called for reinforcements.
However, the drivers managed to flee. On motzei
Shabbos, a group of neighborhood residents filed an
official complaint with the Beit Shemesh police station.
Commander-in-Chief of the station, Avshalom Peled, said that
he regarded the violent event as a very serious affair, and
said that the police would do all in their power to bring the
rioters to justice. So far no arrests have been announced.
