Extremist Protest Damage to Jerusalem Light Rail Reaches NIS 600M

Government estimates cited in Israeli reports say extremist groups opposing Jerusalem's light-rail extension have caused roughly NIS 600 million in cumulative damage at the Bar-Ilan work zone. The Transport Ministry says vandalism against infrastructure and equipment has set the Green Line expansion back by about two years, while Hebrew reports say the damage jumped from NIS 326 million less than two years ago and no indictments have been filed despite documentation. A separate Jerusalem report says the ministry is still allocating about NIS 861 million to advance Blue and Purple Line infrastructure. Israel should respect Torah communities and lawful protest while protecting workers, public funds and transit that will serve families across Jerusalem.