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Following a confrontation in the streets last Shabbos between Gerre Chassidim and Arad’s secular residents, the secular community is holding meetings to organize their efforts to prevent the takeover of Arad by Gur, or having the city change its character to chareidi.

There have been growing tensions in Arad since the arrival of and continued growth of the Gerre community, with the latter pushing to obtain additional buildings for shuls and other mosdos. The city’s Yesh Atid-affiliated mayor insists he will not permit Gerre to change the character of the city.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)