During the celebration of the ‘Light of Life’ on the Mount of Olives, riots and incidents broke out between worshipers and policemen and ushers who blocked access to come to pray at Holy Zion. Many worshipers returned in pain from the sights on the Zion while trampling worshipers and it was impossible to see the Zion even from a distance. The testimonies from the field in ‘In my room’
Riots broke out tonight between worshipers and police officers at the celebration of the holy ‘Light of Life’ at the top of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
Tens of thousands made their way to the holy site of Rabbi Chaim ben Atar ben Rabbi Moshe who illuminated the Jewish world with his teachings and his books are taught everywhere in the world.
Crowds who made their way to the place to carry a prayer for the general and the individual encountered policemen with sticks in their hands who did not allow prayer institutions in Zion as well as ushers who kept order but did not let approach Zion just for a few minutes.
One of the worshipers who spoke with ‘In the Haredi Rooms’ says: “Even looking at the score of the holy light of life did not give. “Block. Give a roof a few minutes to be in what they called a score and escape. Anyone who wants to see the score should go around the whole monster they built and try to find parts without a wall through which the score can be seen.”
He adds: “Some of the entrances from below were blocked by a barbed wire fence. As if we were beasts. It seems that the production there did not learn a lesson, from what was in Meron.”
“Last year it was easier to get in. This year they just made a mess, with nothing to do. One big mess.”
“It was just a shame to see people wanting to pray, and even just guys standing nearby being evicted by the police with sticks in their hands,” they concluded with concern.
This is how the photographer Shlomi Trichter tells Behadrei Haredim about his past abuse: “The police behaved brutally, they took me out by force, I photographed the press, they tore my shirt. There were several officers one inside and one outside, one told me I could be and one said “I can not be inside, they took me out by force, even though I took out the journalist’s card, they took him out by force.
Trichter concludes painfully, “My right hand hurts because of the blows from which I had to defend myself, alongside damage to the camera.”
The Israel Police responded: “Since yesterday (Wednesday), the police have been working to allow many thousands to participate in the celebration of the light of day that is taking place these days on the Mount of Olives. “Objects at the police officers – and as a result, a police officer and a civilian were injured.”
“The police were forced to repel those who violated the order and restore order in order to allow the revelry to continue safely. We call on the general public who come to the place to obey the instructions of the police, to avoid urgency, vandalism and disorder of any kind. To act in the place throughout the day to celebrate the light of life with safety and security. “