Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox demonstrators protest outside Intel office in Jerusalem
Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox demonstrators protest outside Intel office in Jerusalem
13:25, November 22, 2009 
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Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox demonstrators gathered Saturday afternoon at Jerusalem's Givat Moshe neighborhood to protest over the operation of an Intel chip factory during Shabbat in the nearby Har Hotzvim industrial park, local daily The Jerusalem Post reported on its website.
Large police forces were deployed in the area, said the report, adding that several protesters clashed with police and with Intel's security guards, and called the policemen "Nazis" and "murderers."
Security personnel at the factory used hoses to spray water at the ultra-Orthodox demonstrators in an attempt to disperse the protest, reported local daily Ha'aretz.
After gathering outside the factory, the protesters began chanting "Shabbes," the Yiddish word for the Shabbat, and attacked reporters at the scene. Some of them hurled stones at the journalists and beat them, said The Jerusalem Post, adding that two protesters were arrested.
Activists of the Forum of Organizations for Jerusalem's Freedom painted slogans on the sidewalks and hung banners in support of Intel near the industrial park.
The forum issued a statement explaining that the activists refrained from holding a counter-protest following a request by the Intel management.
The clashes came despite agreements reached between Intel and the Committee of Rabbis for the Sanctity of Shabbat. Earlier this week, the company had agreed to only allow production at the factory over the weekend with non-Jewish workers.
Earlier Saturday, Jerusalem Police arrested a young ultra-Orthodox man suspected of damaging Intel Corporation property during last week's demonstration.
Some 2,000 ultra-orthodox demonstrators took part in last Saturday's protest. The demonstration, which began peacefully in the morning, deteriorated into violence in the afternoon when several hundred demonstrators began attacking journalists, pushing and stoning them.
Demonstrators assailed Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Yitzhak Pindrus from the United Torah Judaism party upon his arrival, complaining that he had failed to prevent the desecration of the holy day.
On Sunday, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat expressed his unequivocal support for Intel's continued activity in Jerusalem, a day after the violent demonstration against the firm's work on Shabbat.
Barkat also thanked Intel for the goodwill gestures it has made toward all sectors in Jerusalem, including the ultra-orthodox, and expressed hope that the disparities would be resolved through talks.
Source: Xinhua
Large police forces were deployed in the area, said the report, adding that several protesters clashed with police and with Intel's security guards, and called the policemen "Nazis" and "murderers."
Security personnel at the factory used hoses to spray water at the ultra-Orthodox demonstrators in an attempt to disperse the protest, reported local daily Ha'aretz.
After gathering outside the factory, the protesters began chanting "Shabbes," the Yiddish word for the Shabbat, and attacked reporters at the scene. Some of them hurled stones at the journalists and beat them, said The Jerusalem Post, adding that two protesters were arrested.
Activists of the Forum of Organizations for Jerusalem's Freedom painted slogans on the sidewalks and hung banners in support of Intel near the industrial park.
The forum issued a statement explaining that the activists refrained from holding a counter-protest following a request by the Intel management.
The clashes came despite agreements reached between Intel and the Committee of Rabbis for the Sanctity of Shabbat. Earlier this week, the company had agreed to only allow production at the factory over the weekend with non-Jewish workers.
Earlier Saturday, Jerusalem Police arrested a young ultra-Orthodox man suspected of damaging Intel Corporation property during last week's demonstration.
Some 2,000 ultra-orthodox demonstrators took part in last Saturday's protest. The demonstration, which began peacefully in the morning, deteriorated into violence in the afternoon when several hundred demonstrators began attacking journalists, pushing and stoning them.
Demonstrators assailed Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Yitzhak Pindrus from the United Torah Judaism party upon his arrival, complaining that he had failed to prevent the desecration of the holy day.
On Sunday, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat expressed his unequivocal support for Intel's continued activity in Jerusalem, a day after the violent demonstration against the firm's work on Shabbat.
Barkat also thanked Intel for the goodwill gestures it has made toward all sectors in Jerusalem, including the ultra-orthodox, and expressed hope that the disparities would be resolved through talks.
Source: Xinhua
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