Outcry in Jerusalem

Pakshivili (news poster on the walls) announcing tonight's special prayer in Bar Ilan Street.

B"H

The Edah HaCHaredit announced a special Kabbalat Shabbat prayer taking place in Bar Ilan Street (Jerusalem) tonight (Friday). Some consider the prayer as a real prayer for the holiness of Jerusalem, others may see it as another opportunity to demonstrate and I am 100% sure that plenty of cops are going to be there.

Last Shabbat, groups of the Edah HaCharedit demonstrated wildly against the municipality decision (of Mayor Nir Barkat) to open the public parking lot at Safra Square (at the municipality building) in order to manage the incoming tourist traffic on Shabbat. The Haredim, on the other hand, see the decision as a Chilul Shabbat (desecration of the Shabbat) and want the lot closed.

The case is quite delicate as the secular Mayor Nir Barkat only got his position with the help of the Gerrer Chassidim (Gur). However, they only voted for him because they rejected the opposition candidate Me'ir Porush. Porush, although Haredi himself, is considered as an enemy by the Gerrer Rebbe.