Ultra-Orthodox Jews Protest Sabbath Traffic

Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews pelted passing cars with stones and garbage on Saturday, demanding that neighborhood streets be closed for the Jewish Sabbath.

Men dressed in traditional black hats and coats and women wearing long dresses chanted “Shabbes, Shabbes,” or Sabbath, as they marched along the main road in the Sanhedria neighborhood.

Some shouted profanities at policemen, reporters and photographers, whom they accused of dishonoring the Sabbath by writing, photographing or riding in cars or on horseback.

Many wagged their fingers chanting, “Shame! Shame!”

Police officers drove back the crowds with water cannons that sprayed blue dye. Officers armed with batons chased small groups of protesters; at least one man was injured when he was hit on the head with a police baton.

Israel Television said police arrested 11 protesters.

Such demonstrations have been a frequent Saturday event in the neighborhood. But the protesters hope they are closer to achieving their goals under the new government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose coalition relies on ultra-Orthodox support.

The left-wing secular Meretz Party had planned to stage a counterprotest on Saturday, but canceled it after President Ezer Weizman promised to arrange negotiations between the sides.