Is there an excuse for this?

Assuming all the reproted details are correct, is there an excuse for this? Man beaten as religious tension in B. Shemesh escalates

By Daphna Berman

An American immigrant was attacked and beaten in Beit Shemesh by a gang of ultra-Orthodox zealots, in what appears to be an escalation of tension between religious groups in the city. T., who is himself ultra-Orthodox, was kicked, beaten and threatened with further violence in a Sunday night attack that landed him in the hospital. T.'s car windows were also smashed. T., who asked to go unnamed, has been active in trying to stem the recent tide of Haredi violence in the city. "A bunch of goons, maybe 20 or 30 guys, attacked me - it was like a pogrom," he told Haaretz. "They kicked me, beat me, and then just left me there. Luckily, I am a strong guy and was able to get up and go to the hospital." Advertisement In response, residents of Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet, a Haredi stronghold in the city, held a protest last night. This was the first time ultra-Orthodox residents came out strongly against fringe elements from within their own community. ...T., who has since been released from the hospital, helped organize a recent protest against the violence. Sources say the attack on Sunday was a culmination of ongoing harassment.

Comments

[Chaye Netzach]

BS"D
Well, that is Haaretz. Even secular people do not believe them anymore.
We have been living in a Haredi community for decades and never heard anything even close to this. The most violent thing we have ever heard in our neighborhood is 5 years old terrorists making noise during our Shabbes rest.
Zehu. This is all you have to know about Haredi violence. And whoever tells you the contrary, he lies. Come over here and see by yourself.
http://www.shabes.net/netzach/english.htm

[avakesh]

Thank you. We are obligated to be dan lekaf zechus and this is sufficient to require us to do so, I think.