High Court Justice Uri Shoham on Tuesday night the eve of 22 Cheshvan issued an interim order preventing the destruction of the Ayelet HaShachar Shul in Givat Ze’ev until further notice.

The demolition was to be carried out by Thursday, 23 Cheshvan. A number of prominent rabbonim including Rabbi Simcha HaKohen Kook Shlita, Rabbi Dov Lior Shlita, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu Shlita, Rabbi Elyakim Levanon Shlita and Rabbi Elisha Vishlitzky Shlita signed a letter condemning the court’s decision, calling on the masses to come to Givat Ze’ev and protest around the shul against its scheduled demolition. The rabbonim in their letter explain the justices are have separated themselves from the Jewish People and therefore they do not understand the severity of this decision, to raze a shul.

Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Shlita has sent an urgent letter to High Court of Justice President Miriam Noar requesting the court delay the scheduled destruction of the Ayelet HaShachar Shul in Givat Ze’ev at least until there is another shul in place, in line with Halacha. Rabbi Yosef quoted the Rambam (11: Halachos 11,12).

On Tuesday evening the eve of 22 Cheshvan rumors spread that tractors were heading to Givat Ze’ev to raze the shul. The call was sent for supporters to come and lock themselves in the building to prevent carrying out the court-ordered demolition of the shul.

The High Court agreed to hold off with the demolition until this morning, Wednesday and a hearing will take place at 8:30 AM. The court is expected to announce its decision at 10:00 AM

Hundreds of people remain holed up in the shul since Tuesday night.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)