Today, a peaceful rally to protest the opening of the disputed Karta parking lot on Shabbos was held in Yerushalayim. The peaceful demonstration followed calls from Rav Yitzchok Tuvia Weiss, the Gaavad of the Eidah Hachareidis, to refrain from violence and stay away from the Karta parking lot. Leaflets issued by the Eidah made it clear that young men and children were to stay away from the protests.
“In addition, don’t do anything that could risk lives, don’t step onto the road and stop cars…and don’t commit any violent acts…,” the leaflets read. “The public will be responsible for not doing these things, because they cause damage to us and gravely undermine the holy campaign for the honor of the Shabbos.”
Following the latest instructions, about 1,000 gathered to protest quietly outside Meah Shearim.
Despite the calm, police deployed large forces at the disputed parking lot.
Meanwhile, large police forces were deployed outside Mea Shearim. Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen also arrived at the site in order to closely monitor the situation.
The peaceful demonstration today followed a worrying escalation earlier this week, when police officers used stun grenades and tear gas to disperse protestors. One policeman also fired several warning shots in the air.
The protests have been going on for three months, since Yerushalayim Mayor Nir Barkat decided to keep the Karta parking lot outside the Old City open on Shabbos.
{Yair Alpert-Matzav.com Israel}
Way to go and bring honor to klal yisroel.