The political system is in turmoil following the prayers and protests: National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir responded to the events that took place during the holiday in Tel Aviv: "This Yom Kippur we saw haters trying to expel Judaism from the public sphere. Israel is a Jewish state! And democratic. This Thursday I will hold an evening prayer in the square, the public is invited!"
On this Yom Kippur, we saw haters trying to expel Judaism from the public sphere. Israel is a Jewish state! And democratic.
This Thursday I will hold an evening prayer in the square, the public is invited!
— Itamar Ben-Gvir (@itamarbengvir) September 25, 2023
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid tweeted a long text about the character of Yom Kippur in Tel Aviv, writing: The ultra-Orthodox core that came to the neighborhood decided to bring the war to us as well. They insist on gender segregation outside as well. They make sure to explain to us that there is only one version of Judaism, they demand that in the name of tolerance in our neighborhood as well, they decide what is permitted and what is forbidden."
Spoil the holiday in my neighborhood--
1/10 I love Yom Kippur in my
neighborhood. The quiet. The mutual respect. The people who wear white. The slow walk to the synagogue, when the steps are still a little heavier than the "breaker". I like to look at the synagogue who knows the songs and who has trouble following, who will rest and who will move, who is in water and who is in fire.
— Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) September 25, 2023
"Unfortunately, last night religious and messianic extremists decided to trample on the court's decision and established a separation between men and women at the Yom Kippur evening prayers. A crowd of protesters, residents and residents of the city prevented the prayer in Dizengoff Square from taking place in its illegal form. Since the Yom Kippur War, 50 years, I haven't been called during the holiday. I want to make it very clear - I will not allow the character of our city to change!" said Mayor Ron Huldai.
The mayor also addressed the issue of enforcement: "I decided after a thorough discussion involving municipal officials and the Israel Police, half an hour before the start of the holiday, not to bring in police forces to carry out enforcement on Yom Kippur while praying, in order not to create unnecessary escalation and preserve the sanctity of the holiday. This is my policy decision that I stand behind, out of the view of the entire Tel Aviv public for whom this day is significant."
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