JERUSALEM — Ultra-Orthodox Jewish demonstrators burned trees and attempted to block traffic at Jerusalem's Bar-Ilan Intersection on July 7, 2026. The protest was in opposition to the city's light rail construction.

Haredi protests against the Jerusalem Light Rail construction have resulted in over NIS 400 million in cumulative damage to the unfinished Green Line. Kfir, the company operating Jerusalem's light rail, has rerouted and changed opening dates for several sections of the line due to these protests.

The section of the light rail between Givat Shaul and Ammunition Hill was initially scheduled to open by the end of 2025. Due to vandalism by protesters, the opening has been delayed until 2027. In the week prior to the July 7, 2026, demonstration, Haredi demonstrators damaged pipes intended for installation on the new light rail line.

The Jerusalem District Attorney's Office has filed dozens of indictments against protesters over the past six years. Charges against these individuals include disorderly conduct, rioting, unlawful assembly, and criminal trespassing. Additionally, Jerusalem's municipality has initiated civil lawsuits against demonstrators, seeking compensation for damages resulting from vandalism and schedule delays.

The first section of the light rail planned to open is between the existing HaTurim Station and the Malha Mall area. This section is currently undergoing advanced testing, with operations slated to begin by the end of 2026.

Context

The ongoing protests against the Jerusalem Light Rail construction have resulted in financial costs and delays to public transportation infrastructure. The cumulative damage exceeds NIS 400 million, and one key section has seen its opening postponed for two years. These actions have led to legal responses from both the public prosecutor and the municipality.