The Battle for Jerusalem

Thousands of Orthodox Jews took to the streets of Jerusalem last Saturday. They were angry about a municipal parking lot being open on the Holy Sabbath. Evidently parking your car on a Saturday is a bigger offence than hurling used diapers at the police.

Ultra Orthodox Jews stand opposite Israeli policemen during a demonstration in the conservative Jerusalem district of Mea Sharim on June 6, 2009. Thousands of Orthodox Jews clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem in protest over the inauguration of a municipal parking lot, the Jewish sabbath. AFP

An ultra Orthodox Jewish boy runs away from charging Israeli mount policemen during a demonstration in the conservative Jerusalem district of Mea Sharim on June 6, 2009. Thousands of Orthodox Jews clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem in protest over the inauguration of a municipal parking lot, the Jewish sabbath. AFP

An ultra Orthodox Jew run away from charging Israeli policemen during a demonstration in the conservative Jerusalem district of Mea Sharim on June 6, 2009. Thousands of Orthodox Jews clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem in protest over the inauguration of a municipal parking lot, the Jewish sabbath.

Ultra Orthodox Jews demonstrate outside Jerusalem's municipality on June 6, 2009. Thousands of Orthodox Jews clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem in protest over the inauguration of a municipal parking lot, the Jewish sabbath.

An Israeli riot policeman chases an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man down a central Jerusalem street, Israel, on 06 June 2009 as thousands of Jews gather to protest against a parking lot opening on Saturday, thus breaking the strict Jewish law against working and collecting money on the Sahbbath.

Israeli police scuffle with ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem, Israel, on 06 June 2009 as thousands of Jews gather to protest against a parking lot opening on Saturday, thus breaking the strict Jewish law against working and collecting money on the Sahbbath.

Israeli police scuffle with ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem, Israel, on 06 June 2009 as thousands of Jews gather to protest against a parking lot opening on Saturday, thus breaking the strict Jewish law against working and collecting money on the Sahbbath.

An Israeli policeman runs after an ultra Orthodox Jew during a demonstration in the conservative Jerusalem district of Mea Sharim on June 6, 2009. Thousands of Orthodox Jews clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem in protest over the inauguration of a municipal parking lot, the Jewish sabbath.

Israeli policemen detain an ultra Orthodox Jewish man during a demonstration in the conservative Jerusalem district of Mea Sharim on June 6, 2009. Thousands of Orthodox Jews clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem in protest over the inauguration of a municipal parking lot, the Jewish sabbath.

Ultra Orthodox Jews demonstrate outside Jerusalem's municipality on June 6, 2009. Thousands of Orthodox Jews clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem in protest over the inauguration of a municipal parking lot, the Jewish sabbath.

An ultra Orthodox Jew protects himself during clashes with Israeli policemen at a demonstration in the conservative Jerusalem district of Mea Sharim on June 6, 2009. Thousands of Orthodox Jews clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem in protest over the inauguration of a municipal parking lot, the Jewish sabbath.

An ultra Orthodox Jew raises his hands during clashes with Israeli policemen at a demonstration in the conservative Jerusalem district of Mea Sharim on June 6, 2009. Thousands of Orthodox Jews clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem in protest over the inauguration of a municipal parking lot, the Jewish sabbath.

Israeli police (L) stand guard as ultra Orthodox Jews demonstrate in Jerusalem on June 6, 2009. Thousands of Orthodox Jews clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem in protest over the inauguration of a municipal parking lot, the Jewish sabbath.

An ultra Orthodox Jewish family look at a demonstration below in the conservative Jerusalem district of Mea Sharim on June 6, 2009. Thousands of Orthodox Jews clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem in protest over the inauguration of a municipal parking lot, the Jewish sabbath.

Ultra Orthodox Jews demonstrate in the conservative Jerusalem district of Mea Sharim on June 6, 2009. Thousands of Orthodox Jews clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem in protest over the inauguration of a municipal parking lot, the Jewish sabbath.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, burn a garbage bumpster on 06 June 2009 during a protest against a Jerusalem municipality decision to open a parking lot on Shabbat.

Ultra Orthodox Jews block the main road of their Ultra Orthodox neighbourhood of Mea Sharim with burning garbage container during a demonstration in Jerusalem on June 6, 2009. Thousands of Orthodox Jews clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem in protest over the inauguration of a municipal parking lot, the Jewish sabbath.

Ultra Orthodox Jews block the main road of their Ultra Orthodox neighbourhood of Mea Sharim with burning garbage container during a demonstration in Jerusalem on June 6, 2009. Thousands of Orthodox Jews clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem in protest over the inauguration of a municipal parking lot, the Jewish sabbath.

An Ultra Orthodox Jew looks at the main road of their Ultra Orthodox neighbourhood of Mea Sharim blocked with burning garbage container during a demonstration in Jerusalem on June 6, 2009. Thousands of Orthodox Jews clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem in protest over the inauguration of a municipal parking lot, the Jewish sabbath.

Israeli policemen detains an ultra Orthodox Jewish boy during a demonstration in the Ultra Orthodox neighbourhood of Mea Sharim in Jerusalem on June 6, 2009. Thousands of Orthodox Jews clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem in protest over the inauguration of a municipal parking lot, the Jewish sabbath.

Ultra Orthodox Jews block the main road of their Ultra Orthodox neighbourhood of Mea Sharim with garbage container during a demonstration in Jerusalem on June 6, 2009. Thousands of Orthodox Jews clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem in protest over the inauguration of a municipal parking lot, the Jewish sabbath.

Stockton | 08-06-09 | 13:44 | Link |