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17 Cheshvan 5760 - October 27, 1999 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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Chareidi Representatives in Yerushalayim To Oppose Funding Of Arena Project

by Betzalel Kahn

Chareidi representatives in the Jerusalem Municipality, along with members of all religious factions, will oppose a proposal to transfer all of Jerusalem's Mifal Hapayis funds to the Arena Project. The Arena Project consists of a large sports and events center being planned near Binyanei Ha'uma at the entrance to the city.

The statement was made last week by the members of the chareidi faction in the Municipality prior to a meeting of the City Council the following evening. This staunch position was taken in light of the stance of the Rabbinical Committee of UTJ, guided by maranan verabonon, gedolei haTorah.

Many of the city's residents, as well as the religious population, have expressed opposition to the Arena Project. Those who live in neighborhoods near Binyanei Ha'uma have expressed their apprehension that large-scale events to take place in the Arena would disrupt their daily routines and snarl traffic.

A number of City Council secular representatives have also recently expressed their opposition to the Arena, which is planned to have over 15,000 seats. They warn that a project of this scale near the central bus station, will cause numerous traffic problems, and that the city road infrastructure cannot accommodate such crowds, especially since the center is expected to draw many people from outside of Yerushalayim.

At the meeting, chareidi representatives were told that they must examine the entire issue and take communal needs into consideration. From this perspective, it is clear that an allocation of all the Mifal Hapayis Jerusalem funds -- of NIS 120 million -- solely for this purpose, will deprive welfare, communal, and education institutions throughout the city of their rightful shares.

Chareidi representatives in the Municipality have said that in addition to their opposing the plan because of its serious affront to the kedusha of Jerusalem, they oppose it also from an overall assessment of the needs of the city's population. The social situation in the city is deteriorating and communal institutions in all sectors are suffering from severe financial deficits.

The representatives stressed that despite explanations of the mayor and Municipal officials, they see no legitimate reason to transfer all of the funds earmarked for welfare and educational purposes to the proposed Arena. Consequently, the chareidi representatives will staunchly oppose this plan.


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