A large-scale violent confrontation broke out Wednesday afternoon in the southern city of Arad between Gur Hasidic residents and secular locals, requiring a major police response to restore order.
According to reporter Almog Boker, the clash ignited when secular residents attempted to block Hasidic vehicles from joining the nationwide convoy toward Prison 10. The confrontation quickly escalated into a mass brawl, with dozens of participants trading blows, hurling objects, and shouting in the streets, as frightened women and children were caught in the melee.
Large forces from the Southern District police and Border Guard fighters were scrambled to the scene to separate the brawlers and prevent further violence.
Arad city council member Yitzchak Gordon of the Gur community responded sharply, calling on police to quickly arrest "the rioters attacking the community," and blaming the unrest on what he called dangerous incitement by local figure Nissan Ben Hamo, who he said called for "an intifada in the city" just two days earlier.
Police confirmed that reinforced units were deployed and actively working to disperse gatherings and prevent further deterioration.
