HADERA - Train traffic near Hadera, north of Tel Aviv, was stopped for several minutes after suspected anti-pullout activists placed rocks and an anti-pullout sign on the train tracks.
Police were dispatched to the scene and have launched an investigation into the incident.
Israel Railways said the train driver noticed rocks on the train tracks and reported it to railway management. However, the driver decided to continue on his journey, as the rocks posed no danger to the passengers. No damages were reported.
'Maintain laws of Torah'
The incident came several hours after leading National Religious Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu said in an interview he objects to road-blocking anti-pullout protests and clashes with police officers.
"We must protest, but we must maintain the laws of the Torah and proper behavior," he said.
Eliyahu said the Torah's commandment to rebuke errant Jews (Leviticus 19:17) must be performed gently, and said there are many reasons not to block traffic.
"What if an ambulance is taking someone to hospital?" he said. "What if someone is rushing home to make sure he makes it to prayer? What if a family is rushing to make sure it can circumcise their baby before the sun sets on the eighth day? How can you justify preventing any of these people from reaching their destinations?"
'Do not create public controversy'
However, Rabbi Eliyahu later issued a letter to Gaza Strip and West Bank settlers expressing his support for their struggle against the implementation of the upcoming pullout plan.
"To our brothers the Yesha settlers…the workers and settlers of our forefathers' land in Gush Katif - this letter is to support you against the moral injustice of evacuating settlements and driving Jews out of their homes - it will never occur," he said in the letter.
However, he instructed settlers not to create public controversy.
"We are obligated to act against this moral injustice, but we will not block roads where no alternative route exists and where God forbid anyone's life would be placed in danger," he said.
