Damage from demonstrations of radical ultra-Orthodoxes against the tram in Jerusalem – 600 million shekels

In 2024, the Ministries of Transport and Finance reported to the Knesset that the amount of damage from vandalism during protests by radical ultra-Orthodox Jerusalem factions against the construction of the capital’s green tram line amounted to 326 million shekels.

According to The Marker, citing government sources, over the past two years the cost of damage has risen to 600 million shekels. At the same time, not a single indictment has yet been filed against the vandals, despite the fact that many of their actions were captured on video.

The ultra-Orthodox are protesting against the route running through the Mea Shearim and Geula neighborhoods, resorting to organizing riots, setting fire to construction equipment, damaging building materials and already built infrastructure, and threatening workers.