4:00PM IL: The vehicles are moving through the streets of Yerushalayim’s Geula and Meah Shearim neighborhoods, announcing protests are going to take place in response to the arrest of Eida Chareidis Rav Lazar Rothman, who police say was interfering with restoration work taking place at Kever Rashbi in Meron.
From the announcements it appears protests will be taking place in Ohr Yehuda, Yerushalayim, New Tziona, Meron and other locations. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
4:37PM IL: Stormy protests are expected this evening and tonight in a number of cities around Eretz Yisrael.
YWN-Israel has learned that during today’s excavations at Kever Rashbi, bones were uncovered, bones with Rav Lazar Rothman stated appear human, but “representatives of the Vaad of five insisted they are animal bones” and the digging continued. Rav Rothman, an Eida Chareidis mashgiach, was sent to supervise the excavations and renovations by Eida Gavaad Rav Yitzchak Tuvia Weiss Shlita. R’ Rothman tried stopping the workers by interfering, and he was taken into custody, apparently being held in a Tzfas police facility.
The taxis traveling around Geula and Meah Shearim say it all. As this goes to print, buses are departing from the Satmar Yeshiva on Yoel Street, heading for Meron where protests will be held in a number of hours. Protests are also going to take place in the Meah Shearim and Geula areas, including Shivtei Yisrael, Yechezkel and Bar Ilan Streets. Protests are also going to be held in Nez Tziona and Ohr Yehuda, the homes of members of the Vaad of 5, the state-appointed committee overseeing the work at the Rashbi, as well as in Tzfas, where R’ Rothman is being held.
It appears a stormy night is expected in many areas, beginning in the capital.
UPDATE 7:20PM IL: Eida Chareidis mashgiach Rabbi Lazar Rothman was released from detention by police earlier Tuesday.
Despite his release, it appears protests will be taking place in Yerushalayim against the chilul kevarim” as the Eida is calling it.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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5 Responses
Does any one check out the exact facts of the case, i.e. what EXACTLY transpired BEFORE the protests are called for, or do the protests come first?
#1 for Eida, the protest is the thing by which they catch the publicity. (apologies to W. Shakespeare).
I do not see it stated anywhere the Rav Rothman has training in anthropology, or that he is in any way qualified to judge whether a bone is human or animal.
What is Rabbi Rothmans experience with human/animal bones? Can any layman tell the difference?
Its about time they started arresting people. Israel is a hefker velt. Anywhere else violent protesters and those who interfere with official business would be arrested. There’s no heter to be a hoodlum.
i agree with ‘wellinformedyid’
israel is becoming a place where the fanatics feel that they can do whatever they want, with no consequences, because they know that they can just riot, burn trash cans, and attack other people whenever anyone stands in their way.
if they aren’t stopped in their tracks, israel may become like afghanistan, h’yishmoreinu, where ultra fanatics have taken full control.
these aren’t the same pleasant orthodox jews from washington heights, these people will force everyone to be just like them if their not stopped, even to the point of murder, which they have called for several times in the past!
everyone who values their freedom to practice judaism the way that makes them feel comfortable must do whatever it takes to subvert these people before it is too late.
i myself take credit for several ultra-chaderi youth who have left that lifestyle and gone to college, while still remaining close to hashem.
some of my ‘students’ are currently teaching in ultra-charedi yeshivas, trying to subtly subvert the system, trying to make them less fanatic, lead them to an educated life, while still remaining religious