Ultra-Orthodox Jews arrested in Jerusalem amid lockdown clashes

Israeli police trying to enforce coronavirus lockdown regulations clashed violently overnight with people in Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox neighbourhood of Mea She'arim.

Police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld said on Monday that ultra-Orthodox residents threw stones and objects at officers trying to disperse large gatherings, which are part of rituals associated with the Jewish Sukkot, or Tabernacles, holiday.

Two police officers were injured and police cars were damaged in the scuffles. Police arrested 18 suspects in Jerusalem, the spokesperson said.

Some ultra-Orthodox groups refuse to adhere to lockdown rules that ban outdoor gatherings of more than 20 people and indoor gatherings of more than 10 people.

Also on Sunday night, police tried to break up hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews gathered at a synagogue in the Tel Aviv suburb of Bnei Brak, and scuffles erupted. A police officer was filmed throwing a bucket at a teenager after stones were thrown at the forces in the crowded ultra-Orthodox area.

There were 17 arrests in Tel Aviv, police said.

Following spikes in daily Covid-19 infections, a second lockdown in Israel took effect on September 18 for the duration of a three-week holiday season that began with the Jewish New Year.

The season ends on Saturday, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet has voted to extend the lockdown by another four days and is expected to extend it yet again.

Critics charge that Netanyahu, who is standing trial on charges of corruption - which he denies - is acting out of a conflict of interest because the lockdown makes it harder to demonstrate against him and his government.