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22 Kislev 5760 - December 1, 1999 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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News
Unprecedented Anti-Chareidi Violence in Beit Shemesh

by Betzalel Kahn

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.


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