Haredi rioters assault elderly man in Jerusalem protests over autopsies of ultra-Orthodox infants

Ultra-Orthodox rioters assaulted an elderly man in Jerusalem today, as violent protests continue against court-approved autopsies of two babies who died yesterday at an unlicensed daycare, Israel Police say.

According to police, demonstrators on Bar Ilan Street blocked roads with rocks and threw the elderly man into the roadway after he tried to clear stones from the street. The incident was spotted in real time by police surveillance units.

Ultra-Orthodox rioters protesting the autopsies of two Haredi babies assault an elderly man in Jerusalem while he tries to clear rocks from the street, January 20, 2026. (Israel Police)

In a separate incident, police say officers arrested a suspect who was seen rolling rocks into the road in an apparent attempt to block traffic.

Police say the rioters have “crossed every red line,” accusing them of deliberately harming civilians and officers, and vow to continue acting “with a firm hand” to restore public order and bring those involved to justice.

Haredi protests were continuing in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh over the planned autopsies of 4-month-old Leah Goloventzitz and 6-month-old Aharon Katz.

The Katz family, along with the ultra-Orthodox Zaka emergency service, is appealing the decision to the Supreme Court, which is expected to hold a hearing on the matter this afternoon.

Two caregivers from the overcrowded Romema daycare have been detained on suspicion of negligent homicide and negligence.