Jerusalem - At least 40 people were arrested in clashes with police Saturday in Jerusalem during demonstrations by ultra-Orthodox Jewish groups against the opening of a car park on the Sabbath. One demonstrator was seriously injured when he fell from a fence, Israeli media reported. Four police officers suffered minor injuries.
Police were pelted with bottles, stones, rotten fruit and dirty diapers, and trash containers were set ablaze. Police responded with watercannons in an attempt to disperse the demonstrators.
Thousands of less religious Israelis protested for the car park to be opened, and police were able to keep the two sides apart through a massive show of force.
The Jerusalem mayor's decision to open the car park was condemned by ultra-Orthodox as breaking the Sabbath.
