Shas Moetzas Gedolei Hatorah leader HaGaon HaRav Shalom Cohen Shlita signed the letter against Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat along with other prominent rabbonim shlita.
Yated Neeman in its Thursday, 14 Sivan addition launches a harsh attack against the mayor and his administration, accusing Barkat of ignoring the religious status quo and trampling kedushas shabbos in the city.
What has chareidi lawmakers particularly upset is Sunday’s 17 Sivan planned opening of the Jerusalem waterless beach, which will be at the old train station. It will offer visitors sand and the feeling of a beach, simply without water. The new attraction will be operating on Shabbos, leading to increased chilul Shabbos R”L.
Yahadut Hatorah MKs and Jerusalem councilmen met on Thursday in urgent session to discuss their battle plan. HaGaon HaRav Avigdor Nebenzahl and HaGaon HaRav Simcha HaKohen Kook have also signed the letter urging the mayor not to open the new attraction on Shabbos.
During sheva brachos in Har Nof for a son of Aryeh Deri, Rav Cohen used the opportunity to speak with Mayor Barkat who was also in attendance, complaining that the Old City is under siege due to the city’s light festival that does not permit residents like himself to enter and leave without considerable difficulties and delays. The rav is quoted telling the mayor “next time make sure to arrange for a plane to bring me and take me back home”.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
2 Responses
The Hareidim either have to get used to being a disfavored minority in a city rule by secular zionists, or have to get enough votes to win an election (and this might involve allying with the Arabs, and convincing the Arabs to stop boycotting the Jerusalem elections).
We must remember that the hilonim believe they are saving the city by surpressing the hareidim.
I am so curious what Barkat had to say on that, under him we have changed into Disneyland of Israel and almost no consideration is giving to the people who live in the Old City…