Police attempting to break up violent Haredi protests in Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh

Police arrested a Haredi protester after he allegedly set fire to dumpsters during a stormy demonstration in Jerusalem tonight, law enforcement says.

The demonstration is occurring at the same time as a similar protest in Beit Shemesh, both over the arrest of three Haredi men during a protest at a construction site in Yehud.

Detained earlier today, the three were transferred to the military police after it was discovered they were draft dodgers, Hebrew outlets report.

Police declared both of tonight’s protests to be unlawful and are attempting to disperse crowds of hundreds, law enforcement says. An officer in Beit Shemesh sustained light injuries after a protester threw stones at him.

Protesters are allegedly blocking roads, setting dumpsters alight and throwing objects at police forces at the scene, as cops use riot control methods to break up the violent demonstrations.

For over two months, Haredi protesters have been attempting to thwart a residential construction project by the urban renewal firm Aura, which they say endangers an ancient Jewish cemetery in the central city.