Yerushalayim Mayor Nir Barkat paid a visit to the Kaliver Rebbe, Rav Menachem Mendel Taub, this evening at his home on Rechov Chana in the Ezras Torah neighborhood of Yerushalayim. The visit, which had been planned a while ago, focused on a number of things, including ways that the mayor can assist the Rebbe’s mosdos. Upon his exit from the Rebbe’s home, Mayor Barkat, who was escorted by his chareidi advisor, Avrohom Kreiser, was greeted at his vehicle by a group of protesters who tried to block his way. The mayor managed to leave the neighborhood after the police stepped in with reinforcements to escort his entourage out. The Yerushalayim Municipality released a statement that, “A radical group…threw stones at his car, damaging the vehicle, and surrounded it.”
The mayor said in response to the incident that he would not give in to bullying, adding that “whoever thinks violence and thuggery or bullying will achieve anything is mistaken.”
Yahadus Hatorah released a strong statement condemning those involved in this regrettable incident, stating that this is not the derech haTorah and that those committing violent acts were “not heeding the words of the gedolei Yisroel.”
The Shas Party also released a statement strongly criticizing the individuals involved in harassing the mayor, saying the the way of Torah is “deracheha darchei noam.”
An advertisement in tomorrow’s Israeli Yated Ne’eman will strongly condemning those involved in today’s embarrassing incident.
Mayor Barkat has recently raised the ire of some in Yerushalayim by opening the Karta parking lot, across from the Old City, open on Shabbosos.
{Yair Alpert-Matzav.com Israel}
protesting is the Human Rights of a Democracy
protesting **PEACEFULLY** is the human right of a democracy
When the police have to be called to prevent “protesters” from harassing a public official (when he has come to see a Rebbe about supporting the Rebbe’s mosdos!) this is not protest – this is hooliganism.
It’s time we stopped calling such people “protesters” and calling them what they are – hooligans. A protest for Torah should be peaceful and dignified.
Weinstein, throwing rocks is not part of a democracy.
We have to take steps against such hooligans.
Hiding our heads in the sand doesn’t do the trick.
Better to wake up ourselves than be awakened roughly by others, chas vesholem.