Jerusalem police spokesman Shmulik Ben-Ruby told Kol Chai Radio host Mordechai Lavi on Wednesday morning (Sept. 21) that the arrests that took place in Meah Shearim on Tuesday were just the beginning of efforts to shut down the sikrikim, not the end. Ben-Ruby explains that police received information that these people are involved in collecting protection money from merchants, simply they are running a ‘collections racket’. He cited a case in which a seforim store in Meah Shearim was targeted because he also sells “Zionist” books which did not find favor in the eyes of these people.
When threats did not do the trick, the store window was smashed and damage was significant, followed by pashkavilim against the store. The store owner did not run to police because he feared a cheirim would result from such an act. The person responsible is in custody he explained, arrested on Tuesday, and he will face a criminal indictment. He is among the leaders of the sikrikim.
Ben-Ruby explained that 99% of the Meah Shearim population shuns the sikrikim, but there simply is not enough cooperation between residents of the community and police.
Regarding the arrest of Yolish Krauss, his issue is that of the slaughterhouse that he runs in the community.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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11 Responses
What proof is there that this story is true?
Peacemaker go ask the store owners how much they pay.
Unless you are asking if it is true the Israeli Police Dept will actually do their job of protecting small businesses from the mafia.
Peacemaker,
What proof is there that any news here (or anywhere) is true?
What does sikrikim mean?
Why doubt the fact, as unfortunate as it is, that pymt for security (into their hands) is necessary? Check with storekeepers in the area and find out.
I would imagine that we would feel satisfaction that bedlam, destruction and violence may come to an end.
1-Is this the hardest news to digest that you ask if this is true?
#3 MDG — That is a very valid and true question.
You don’t know.
The word sikrikim come from a mishna in Bikurim., Perek Alef Mishna Beis.
The Meforshim on the Mishna explain that this is a person that kills people, (mafia) but can be bribed with land (collections), they were not allowed to bring their fruit to Beis Hamikdosh as bikurim!!
Seemingly this has been going on for a while in our nation, and the Gedolim of those generations, (The Tanoim) also waged a battle against these lower elements of society!!
Hashem should help that the non frum police should be successful in defeating this attack on civilization (these people dress like frum Yidden but are far from it, and Emess should win, and through that Moshiach should be able to come.
From experience, dealing with these characters is never successful, attacking them with words doesn’t help, and they naturally come back for more!! Maybe, only maybe, the batons of the Israeli police force, together with the bruises on these people’s arms and legs will transfer the message from all of Klal Yisroel round the whole world to these people!!
Hasham Yazor.
Bullies are cowards and only understand one thing. They only back down when someone bigger and stronger challenges them.
alwaysbsd
Amein. Looking forward to an end to these machalalei sheim shamayim who give all from yidden a bad name and cause others to hate us.
Peacemaker, what proof can you bring that you are truly a peace maker?