Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) demonstrators burned trees and attempted to block traffic at Jerusalem's Bar-Ilan Intersection on Tuesday in protest of the city's light rail construction, Israeli media reported.
The protests follow an N12 News report that haredi protests have cumulatively caused over NIS 400 million in damage to the Jerusalem light rail's unfinished Green Line since construction began about six years ago.
Bar-Ilan Street, one of several traversed by the new light rail line, has been the scene of many of these protests.
During a protest last week, haredi demonstrators damaged pipes that were set to be installed on the new light rail line, N12 reported.
According to N12, the protests have caused Kfir, the company that operates Jerusalem's light rail, to change opening dates and routing in several sections of the line.
For example, the section between Givat Shaul and Ammunition Hill was originally set to begin service by the end of 2025. However, severe vandalism by protesters has pushed the section's opening to 2027, with the potential for further delays.
Instead, the first section to open will be the one between the existing HaTurim Station and the Malha Mall area, already in advanced testing and slated to begin operations by the end of 2026.
Vandalism continues despite arrests
The protests continue despite dozens of indictments filed against protesters over the past six years, N12 reported, citing the Jerusalem District Attorney's Office.
Charges against protesters include disorderly conduct, rioting, unlawful assembly, and criminal trespassing, the office said.
In addition, Jerusalem's municipality has filed civil lawsuits against demonstrators for the damages caused by vandalism and schedule delays.