Seeking to accommodate Muslim employees and patients, Afula’s Ha’emek Hospital has opened a mosque. The move has angered Moshe Moshiach, who heads Afula’s Religious Council. He explained that if they wished to open a mosque in a less central location it would have been fine, just as there are shuls around the world in areas populated by Jews. He adds that he was not at all consulted regarding the opening of the mosque.

Moshiach stated, “To my sorrow, today, mosques are centers of incitement, not just houses of worship. It is a mistake to open a mosque in the hospital. Who knows how far this will go. The extremist elements will take advantage of it to incite others. I do not think a mosque should be opened in the hospital.”

According to local Afula press reports, residents of the city are also angered over the move, which does not meet with their approval. Many reports quote “residents’ outrage” over the move.

Another mosque is scheduled to be opened in the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva in compliance with a request from the mayor of the Arab community of Rahat.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)