Jerusalem is no stranger to protests. Some say the city was built around them
But the scenes that unfolded recently near the Chords Bridge stood out, even by the standards of Israel’s capital. Hundreds of teenagers—many from settlements in the West Bank—blocked the entrance to Jerusalem in protest over what they called police brutality” during recent confrontations in the hills
The demonstration, fueled by online calls within far-right circles, quickly escalated into a civilian blockade of the city. Roads were shut down by children and youth lying in the streets, trash bins were dragged onto roadways, and police vehicles were splashed with bright blue paint. One female Border Police officer was lightly injured
Youth on the Road – Police Under Fire
According to police reports, the demonstrators ignored dispersal orders, threw stones at officers, and engaged in actions that endangered drivers and disrupted the city’s flow
“There were actual kids lying in the road. It wasn’t just chaos—it was dangerous,” said a driver stuck at the scene
During the dispersal, several patrol cars were splashed with blue paint—reportedly as a symbolic act of rebellion. Two suspects were arrested and are being investigated for assaulting officers and damaging public property
(Football Builds Bridges Everywhere – Except in Jerusalem)
Not the Usual Clashes – Jewish Rage from the Hills
While most violent incidents in Jerusalem in recent years have involved unrest from the city’s east or nearby Arab villages, this time the central players were young Jews—some of them minors—who came from settlements near Jerusalem and chose the capital as their battleground
“They didn’t go to the army base or the Knesset—they shut down the heart of the country,” tweeted a Jerusalem resident caught in the jam. “We’re used to left-wing protests blocking traffic sometimes—but this time, it came from the right
Once Again, Jerusalem Stands Alone
For many Jerusalemites, the events of that night were a reminder that in this city, symbols always come before order. When the hills erupt, Jerusalem absorbs the flames. And when youth take to the streets in protest, it’s the capital that chokes on traffic, fear, and disruption
For several hours, reaching the entrance to the city became nearly impossible—until, once again, Jerusalem paid the price
