A night of severe violence and widespread disturbances shook Jerusalem this week, in the early hours of Tuesday, leaving behind pointed questions about the possible involvement of individuals allegedly on the fringes of the Berland Hasidic community in the city. What began as a large religious event quickly deteriorated into a wave of vandalism in the streets and a brutal racist attack on a Palestinian passerby in the Damascus Gate area, sparking widespread outrage on social media and among the public.
The events began at around 3:00 a.m., immediately after the celebration marking the memory of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox youths left the giant sukkah complex of the “Chut Shel Chessed” institutions, founded by Rabbi Shalom Arush, a prominent and loyal disciple of Rabbi Eliezer Berland who operates under his spiritual patronage. The youths began blocking the light rail, while members of the crowd threw stones, rocked a police vehicle, and even stole and later abandoned a municipal vehicle, causing heavy damage to public property. A Border Police officer was injured in the head by a bottle thrown at her during efforts by Jerusalem District Police forces to disperse the disturbances. Police used a water cannon and stun grenades and arrested 11 suspects.
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But the incident escalated when the disturbances spread toward Damascus Gate. Disturbing footage circulated on social media, and was also widely featured in Palestinian media, showing dozens of ultra-Orthodox youths chasing an older Arab man. During his attempted escape, the man was thrown to the ground, and the attackers continued kicking him brutally while he lay on the road, as harsh racist chants were heard. Jerusalem District Police opened an investigation to identify those involved in the assault.
At the same time, alongside the Jerusalem District investigation, online discussion has raised an alleged connection to the Berland Hasidic community. The disturbances allegedly broke out from the “Chut Shel Chessed” institutions, which, as noted, are linked to Berland. In addition, in the days preceding the incident, official invitations were circulated on digital platforms associated with Rabbi Berland’s circle, calling on his followers to come celebrate and participate in the main gathering at the compound.
Meanwhile, the scene of the incident itself, near the Mea Shearim neighborhood and the Haim Bar-Lev axis, has for many years been known as a stronghold of Berland’s followers. Among them are what are allegedly perceived as marginal youths associated with the group, who have previously been involved in violent incidents and clashes with the Arab population in the Old City area. While Jerusalem District Police are at this stage careful to define the detainees as “ultra-Orthodox youths” or “participants in the gathering,” these institutional and geographic links on the ground allegedly tie the threads of the incident to the Berland Hasidic community.
