Residents of Jerusalem’s Jewish Quarter in the Old City are demanding an immediate halt to street fairs and events, which they insist have made life unbearable for them. The B’tzedek organization has informed Jerusalem City Hall that failure to comply with their justifiable demands will result in legal action, demanding a halt of street festivals which they insist intrudes on their daily lives and religious sensibilities.

They explain the events are primarily of a non-religious nature, result in street closures, damage and vandalism to the area, and disturbs the afternoon and nighttime tranquility. Residents’ representatives insist they are in a residential area as anyone else in Israel, and they will not tolerate attempts to convert their community into a museum or safari park. B’tzedek is calling upon Mayor Barkat to cancel the events, which they believe are not legal since they do not have a business license. They add that the location hosting the events is not adequately prepared to accommodate the numbers and in the event participants are compelled to evacuate, there is an insufficient number of escape possibilities, warning a catastrophe may result chas v’sholom.

City Hall reports all events are conducted legally and the required permits and licenses have been obtained.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)