JERUSALEM (VINnews) — During the course of the past few months there have been weekly and almost daily protests on Bar Ilan street in northern Jerusalem against the building of a new line of the Jerusalem light rail which will be traversing the street in a short while. The demonstrators claim that the planned route of the new line -from the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus to the Givat Ram university campus – will bring hundreds of secular students and staff through the predominantly chareidi neighborhood, changing the atmosphere and negatively influencing local children.
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At present the street – a vital thoroughfare which connects the northern entrance to Jerusalem with its main western entrance – is clogged with numerous buses with both internal and intercity routes passing through and creating significant congestion. The planned train would reduce local public transport and ease the congestion but at the same time change the character of the neighborhood. Trains are more frequent than the buses and this would lead to more people getting off trains to make purchases in the area, leading to a drop in modesty standards.
Eda Chareidis leaders say that just as another planned line crossing Meah Shearim is to be placed under the streets of Strauss and Yehezkel, the Bar Ilan line should also be placed underground in order to “prevent spiritual harm to residents of the neighborhood.”
The demonstrations have also turned violent on some occasions, with extreme elements destroying equipment and setting fires in an attempt to halt the ongoing construction. Police have used water cannon, arrests and other measures in attempts to disperse the demonstrations but protesters continue the daily vigils, which have also disrupted traffic in the area on numerous occasions.
During the nine days the Eda Chareidis decided not to initiate demonstrations but rather to make a prayer vigil near the site, where Tikkun Chatzos was recited by the elders of the community, according to a report by B’Chadrei Chareidim and Kikar Hashabbos
בלבוש שק: מעמד אמירת 'תיקון חצות' בראשות עשרות מזקני ירושלים כעת על ציר בר אילן בירושלים, במחאה נגד סלילת הרכבת הקלה בשכונות החרדיות pic.twitter.com/hYmf6SCMSy
— משה ויסברג (@moshe_nayes) July 15, 2021
Eda Chareidis recite Tikkun Chatzos with sackcloth at site of light rail route
“demonstrations have also turned violent on some occasions, with extreme elements destroying equipment and setting fires in an attempt to halt the ongoing construction.” Children aren’t negatively influenced by this behavior? Destroying equipment is stealing, an issue d’oraiysa.
These guys have lost their mind. These are Jews or Ayatollahs?
They are not representative of the Chareidi public.
For these yidden to use the props we usually keep for real mourning during the Nine days for a protest against public transportation (!!!!) shows how far this group has fallen.
So it is appropriate that they sit and cry and say tehillim. It is for their own lost souls.
I don’t understand. Be as frum as you want. Interact with the entire world as you see fit. No one can shut down the entire planet to serve that agenda. Why do they feel they must shut down others for their needs on the street? However they are dealing with their interaction with rest of planet, do same for the light rail and streets. Why ram this down other peoples throats? I’m confused once again by our leaders.
Unfortunately for the Jews that live in these neighborhoods, Israel a democracy, where citizens have the right to wear what they choose to wear.
The Orthodox just have to deal with that. The Orthodox do not have the right to impose their rules on everyone.
Hopefully the Eida will wake up and realize we’re all brothers and sisters.
Arrogant souls think they own the whole country . Secular people don’t fret when Haredim walk through their neighborhoods, buy homes and move in , usually because of housing shortages in orthodox neighborhoods .
Hey, Sack cloths are supposed to be worn instead of clothing. This is a joke just like the whole “shpeil’
The frummer think no one else exists but them. We truly lost our way. These are not Frum people but the Erev Rav. This is what they must have looked like
>>> Trains are more frequent than the buses and this would lead to more people getting off trains to make purchases in the area, leading to a drop in modesty standards.
This is the entire issue? Residents don’t want more transit riders getting off the trains and making local purchases?
The solution is simple. Run an advertising campaign:
“Buy dati, not chareidi.”
Everyone should shop in their own neighborhoods, and support their own institutions.
Such dedication to protecting their children from negative outside influences! If only I could be such a dedicated father as these holy men.
I am in awe.