The Israeli Prime Minister has urged citizens not to demonise Charedim in the light of incidents of extremist violence and discrimination.
Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at a Cabinet meeting following large-scale protests in Beit Shemesh about strictly Orthodox segregation of women, said that although harassment would not be tolerated, Israelis should not generalise.
"To include [all Charedim] in the violence of a marginal, law-breaking group would be irresponsible," he said. He called for the country to be united, so it could "deal with challenges that threaten us".
But, commenting on the rash of "price tag" attacks in the West Bank, Mr Netanyahu added: "We can also take on threats from marginal groups in society."
Mr Netanyahu was criticised for not taking enough action by the leader of the Opposition. Tzipi Livni said that the state had "turned into the wild west".
