In the wake of the riots in recent weeks following the uprooting of the modesty signs by the Beit Shemesh Municipality, which caused an uproar and resulted in the replacement of the signs that were removed, MKs from the Committee on the Status of Women and Reform organizations arrived Sunday morning 6 Teves to “closely monitor” The “status of women” in the city – including regarding signs calling for gender segregation on sidewalks.

Knesset members and activists came to Beit Shemesh on a bus accompanied by the media, while touring the city and provoking the residents.

A group of extremists congregated in the area and caused a stir in an effort to oust the unwanted guests. The visiting women tried to remove the signs that were replaced, but were prohibited from doing so by the presence of residents.

Beit Shemesh City Hall complied with a High Court ruling demanding the removal of the signs, doing so twice, and each time they are replaced. MK Yisrael Eichler asked to cancel the planned tour, well-aware it would cause increased tensions. However, it was learned only two women from the Knesset committee took part in the bus trip, despite the official Knesset umbrella for their actions and despite the presence of police and Knesset Guard personnel.

Eichler explained “clear seichel prevailed” as residents of the community would not welcome them with open arms and the visit would just serve to stir additional tensions and strife.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)