Powered by WebAds

Monday, June 03, 2013

'Let them pray or there will be 100 dead Haredi bodies'

The monthly publicity stunt known as 'Women of the Wall' took a potentially deadly turn on Monday, as the two chief rabbis each received a letter warning them to allow the 'Women of the Wall' to pray 'in their way and according to their custom' or 'you will return home with 100 Haredi bodies.'
In the letter, sent to Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar and Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, a picture of a gun and warnings such as "this is your last warning," and "your end is near" were included.
The Chief Rabbinate stated in response that the matter had been reported to the head of the Prime Minister's Office security detail.
"This is the first time that the chief rabbis of Israel have received threats on their lives," the statement added. "In Israel, we have unfortunately learned already that words can kill. These are not just threats against the rabbis, but against an entire public with vitriolic language. We hope that the police will bring the inciters and threateners to justice."
Following the report of the threatening letters, Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz stated that he had received a threatening letter calling on him to allow the Women of the Wall to pray last week.
Rabinowitz said that he had filed a complaint to the police over the letter.
Rosh Chodesh, the day on which the women generally come to the Western Wall, is this coming Sunday. 

UPDATE 5:35 PM

Women of the Wall is denying any connection to the letter, and says that they hope that the police will find the person(s) who sent it (link in Hebrew).

The office of the Kotel rabbi confirms receiving a similar letter last week. 

MK Eli Yishai (Shas) sees this incident as connected to other instances of incitement against Haredim, including by public figures, in recent weeks, and fears that we may yet see the results of such incitement.

The Chief Rabbinate Council is attempting to find a compromise, but has issued a statement saying that until they decide otherwise, there should be no changes in the order of prayer at the Western Wall, and that it is deemed to have the sanctity of a(n Orthodox) synagogue.

Labels: , ,

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:33 PM

1 Comments:

At 4:36 PM, Blogger Red Tulips said...

Alas what about the Haredi incitement against Women of the Wall? There have been open riots and actual violence against these women! Is their violence irrelevant? Why do you make excuses for such thug-like behavior?

P.S.: It is not a "fringe group," because buses of Haredim were brought in to spread violence.

 

Post a Comment

<< Home

Google