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Police disperse 150 ultra-Orthodox protesters blocking Meron bus

8/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

150 ultra-Orthodox protesters tried to block a bus at Meron Junction on Saturday, drawing police.
The protest began weeks earlier in Safed, spread to Meron, seeking to stop buses before Shabbat ends.
About 70 Galilee residents from the Derech Hofshit (free road) movement gathered opposite the demonstrators to keep traffic moving.
Last month, dozens of ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked traffic near Safed’s central bus station, shouting “Shabbos,” before police dispersed them.

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Story summary

150 ultra-Orthodox protesters tried to block a bus at Meron Junction on Saturday, drawing police.
The protest began weeks earlier in Safed, spread to Meron, seeking to stop buses before Shabbat ends.
About 70 Galilee residents from the Derech Hofshit (free road) movement gathered opposite the demonstrators to keep traffic moving.
Last month, dozens of ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked traffic near Safed’s central bus station, shouting “Shabbos,” before police dispersed them.