While the sides involved will be meeting in Jerusalem City Hall next week, a meeting on Monday resulted in agreement, that under the watchful eye of Jerusalem Religious Council officials, Jerusalem City Hall employees on Tuesday will return the approximately 30 eruv poles that were torn out in the capital during recent days, by City Hall.

Chareidi city councilmen were fuming after learning of the removal of the poles from the Gilo and Malcha areas in the capital, as was reported by YWN-Israel. The city’s actions appear to have been another act in the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between the chareidi residents and the Barkat administration, with the city seeking to flex its political muscle using the eruv as the case in point.

HaGaon HaRav Eliyahu Schlesinger Shlita, the posek of the Jerusalem Religious Council explained that he is unwilling to enter into any dialogue until such time that the poles that were removed are returned. He explained that only then may the frum community speak with City Hall, stressing the city’s unacceptable actions must first be corrected before there can be any expectation of meaningful dialogue. He rejected any attempt to justify the removal of the eruv poles without consulting with rabbonim prior to implementing such a decision.

R’ Eliezer Kroizer, the mayor’s advisor on chareidi affairs, explained earlier this evening that the officials in the Jerusalem Religious Council responsible for the eruv are the ones who are responsible for the removal of the eruv poles, explaining that to the best of his knowledge, the move was implemented with their knowledge and approval.

In a long-winded convoluted explanation, Kroizer sought to blame the religious council, but at the end, assured everyone that the poles will be replaced and the eruv fixed before shabbos. Religious council officials and Rav Schlesinger reject Kroizer’s explanation of the events.

After the meeting on Monday, which was arranged by Councilman R’ Yossi Deutch, the decision was made and city officials promised that the poles will be returned to their place on Tuesday and a meeting will be held next week towards reaching a mutually acceptable long-term solution.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)