Violent clashes broke out Monday night in Beit Shemesh as extremist protesters confronted police over the indictment of Yosef Friedman, who is accused of setting fires near the city’s police station during an earlier anti-draft demonstration.

Police and Border Police officers were deployed to the area around Nahar Hayarden Street after demonstrators blocked roads, set dumpsters ablaze, damaged public infrastructure, and attacked officers.

According to police, rioters hurled rocks and other objects at security forces, damaged a police vehicle, and continued to disrupt traffic despite repeated orders to disperse. Officers declared the gathering an unlawful riot before moving in to clear the roads and restore order.

Videos from the scene showed chaotic confrontations between police and demonstrators, including footage appearing to show officers knocking hats and yarmulkes off protesters during the scuffles.

Police said additional forces were rushed to the area as the unrest intensified.

Earlier Monday, prosecutors filed an indictment against Friedman in the Jerusalem District Court, charging him with three counts of arson and one count of participating in a riot. According to the indictment, Friedman allegedly ignited vegetation near the Beit Shemesh police station on three separate occasions during a violent protest that erupted following the arrest of a yeshiva student accused of draft evasion.

Prosecutors have requested that Friedman remain in custody until the conclusion of legal proceedings.

Police condemned the violence, saying the rioters caused extensive damage to infrastructure and endangered both officers and the public.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)