Haredi Protest Erupts on Jerusalem’s Bar‑Ilan Street Over Light Rail Construction; Police Disperse Crowd

Israel Police moved in to disperse an unlawful Haredi (ultra‑Orthodox) demonstration on Bar‑Ilan Street in Jerusalem on Monday after officers said some activists attempted to block traffic and damage light‑rail construction sites.

What Happened

Police said the protesters sought to obstruct vehicles and target the ongoing infrastructure works along the busy Bar‑Ilan corridor. Officers declared the assembly unlawful and began dispersing the crowd, detaining suspects in connection with separate clashes.

Ultra-Orthodox jewish men block a road during a protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, in Jerusalem, July 1, 2026; Illustrative. (credit: Chaim Goldbergl/Flash90)

Previous Incidents and Arrests

The latest clash is part of a series of recurring protests against the expansion of Jerusalem’s light rail along Bar‑Ilan Street. On August 27, hundreds gathered in the same area; Ynet reported that several demonstrators tore down fencing, set fire to cardboard installations and tried to breach the construction site. Police later arrested a suspect in an alleged arson and detained another person accused of throwing stones at security forces.

Illustrative: Ultra‑Orthodox Jewish men block a road during a protest related to the jailing of yeshiva students who refused army recruitment orders. (Credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Impact on the Light Rail Project

Broadcaster N12 reported that Haredi protests have caused more than NIS 400 million in damage to the unfinished Green Line since construction began about six years ago. The unrest has forced the Jerusalem Light Rail operator, Cfir, to delay planned opening dates and reroute several sections of the line, complicating project timelines and service rollouts.

Walla and Alon Hachmon contributed to this report.