Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat arrived in the city’s Bayit Vegan neighborhood to take part in a ceremony for the new park after the city pulled out the old one, leading to protests. The mayor was greeted by fathers and sons who showed their disdain for his presence.

According to the Kikar Shabbos News report, on Tuesday, 12 Adar, at about 2:30PM, the mayor arrived at the ceremony for the park area on Rejwan Street escorted by Councilman (Yahadut Hatorah) Yaakov Halprin. When he arrived, children were instructed to begin singing Purim songs to disrupt the event, which they did. They also displayed protest signs.

The mayor got the message loud and clear and left about ten minutes after his arrival. He had just enough time to speak with a few area residents, who told him what they thought, and their anger over the city tearing out the park without consulting community leaders over the move.

The mayor spoke of City Hall’s successful efforts to bring about a proper school building and the fact the community now has an improved park. However, the message was clear, that he was persona non-grata, at least for today.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)