Massive destruction and losses of hundreds of millions: The price of the struggle over the light rail in Jerusalem
An inconceivable sum of 400 million shekels - this is the estimated loss incurred by the green line of the light rail • The reason: ongoing vandalism in the protests of the extreme Haredim on…
Assessment
The green line of Jerusalem's light rail faces an estimated 400 million shekel loss due to relentless vandalism by extremist Haredi protesters on Bar-Ilan Street. The project has been split into two segments: lines in neighborhoods without protests may still open this year, while the Bar-Ilan section is delayed until at least late 2027. This highlights how localized ideological resistance can reshape major urban infrastructure timelines and budgets. The key question is whether authorities have a strategy to prevent further vandalism and salvage the broader project's viability.