Speaking with Kikar, HaGaon HaRav Yosef Yisar reminisced of last Yom Kippur’s riots, detailing some of the actions, of the attacks against Jews of the city on the holiest day of the year.

He explained that when the call came over the muezzin in the city’s mosques, the response was immediate. “They came out in large numbers and one could see the hate in their eyes” the rav is quoted as saying. “They began to damage property, vandalize and loot stores” he added.

“Over 150 vehicles were damaged, dozens of stores broken into, all while the Jews of the city were involved in tefillos Yom Kippurim”.

Labeling the day’s events a “modern pogrom,” the rav stated it reminded him of some very dark days in our history. Despite meetings with community representatives, the rav explained the Arab leaders refused to publically condemn the attacks. He explains that only after Jews began boycotting Arab business, and “they felt it in their pockets” did the situation begin to calm down.

The rav had words of praise for the growing torah presence in the city, the vibrant yeshivos and growing shuls. Regarding the upcoming Yom Kippur, Israel Police has announced it will be out in force and take immediate steps to respond to the slightest provocation in the hope of preventing renewed violence in the racially mixed city.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)