News Reporter Attacked While Covering Haredi Protest

In depth

Route 4 was closed in both directions at the Gaha Junction, near Bnei Brak, following a Haredi protest against the arrest of a deserter. According to the police, an officer declared the protest illegal before using force to disperse it, and three police officers were injured, one of them by a stone thrown at his head. According to Haaretz, the police made extensive use of stun grenades.

According to Arutz Sheva, stun grenades injured protesters. According to Ynet, during the protest, Keshet Weizmann, a reporter for i24NEWS, and the cameraman accompanying her were pushed and spat on, and bottles were thrown at them. According to Israel Hayom, the channel said: "Every journalist must feel safe to carry out their job."

According to Channel 14, Haredi media figure David Kishet was arrested during the protest after documenting police activity. According to Behadrei Haredim, he was released two hours later, and the arrest was reportedly linked to an attempt to have documentation he filmed deleted. According to Ynet, at the end of the event the protest was dispersed, three protesters were arrested, and Route 4 reopened to traffic.