The struggles between secular and ultra-Orthodox Jews over playing with Harish continue. Last Saturday, two ultra-Orthodox Jews were arrested at the scene for praying loudly and frightening children. The two were brought to the police station, but the court released them.
Confrontation at the Gymboree in Harish // Shmuel Buchris
The game in Harish already made headlines several months ago, against the background of the decision of the business owners to open on Shabbat as well. In the event that occurred this time, a number of ultra-Orthodox worshippers arrived and prayed loudly inside the play area and prevented the children from entering. The children felt scared and were deterred by the worshippers, and the parents called the police.
Police officers who arrived arrested two suspects, and they were brought to the police station after not carrying an ID card, due to the Sabbath. The two were later brought to court, where the police requested that their detention be extended for violating public peace and disturbing children. In court, a police representative said they were "praying loudly, scaring the children."
The struggle between secular and ultra-Orthodox Jews over the game in Harish continues. Pictured: The entrance to the city, photo: None
The defense attorneys, Attorney Dina Yaluz of the Public Defender's Office, and Attorney Shlomo Hadad, asked to be released, claiming that at that moment they did not bother anyone. They also claimed that the policemen asked the ultra-Orthodox to identify themselves, but that they were not allowed to carry identity cards on Shabbat. "They were arrested on the grounds that they were scaring children, they came and sang Shabbat songs, this is not a protest of violence or intimidation of children. It is permissible to protest. 4 people is not a gathering and disturbing public order," Attorney Yaluz said.
The judge, Avihu Goffman, accepted the defense attorneys' request and released the two, but emphasized in his decision: "I believe that to some extent, there is indeed a violation of public peace, to the extent that justifies removing the suspects from the playground. Beyond that, there is, of course, no place in the circumstances to order the arrest of the suspects, but to make do with removal only."
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