IDF troops attacked with rocks while distributing food in Mea Shearim

Rocks were thrown at a group of IDF soldiers distributing food in the ultra-Orthodox Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem earlier tonight, the military says.

No troops were injured, though damage was caused to their car, the army says. The military says police are investigating the incident.

In a statement, IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi denounces the attack on the troops. “This was a violent, criminal act, which deserves total condemnation. The fact that IDF soldiers who were assisting the local government and citizens to distribute food were violently attacked by residents of Mea Shearim is very serious and requires denunciation, thorough treatment and soul-searching,” Kohavi says.

“The IDF will continue to assist in the national effort as much as it is asked,” he adds.

— Judah Ari Gross