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.
