|
|
NEWS
Jerusalem: 40,000 Protest Opening of Municipal Parking Lot on Shabbos
By Yechiel Sever
Thousands of Torah-true Jews led by gedolei Yisroel and rabbonim of neighborhoods and congregations assembled along Bar Ilan Street to voice their distress in the face of Shabbos desecration through the opening of the municipal parking lot based on orders from Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. The quiet demonstration was held to protest the highly visible operation of the parking lot on Shabbos Kodesh as well as serious concerns that the move could lead nearby businesses to open their doors on Shabbos as well.
According to police estimates, over 40,000 people took part in the prayer and protest gathering, which included a moving Kabbolas Shabbos and Tefillas Arvis. At the behest of gedolei Yisroel, including Maran HaRav Eliashiv shlita, thousands took to the streets to defend the honor of Shabbos, remonstrating against Mayor Barkat's involvement in the issue by asking the court to order the 800-space parking lot open on Shabbos and Jewish holidays.
A separate prayer gathering by hundreds of Old City residents was held simultaneously outside Jaffa Gate, just two blocks from the Karta parking lot, which was opened on Shabbos for the first time. In the first such demonstration held at this site, they objected to the large-scale Shabbos desecration in close proximity to their homes, expressing hopes the Mayor would honor their demand.
|
