Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., July 12, 2009 Tamuz 20, 5769 | | Israel Time: 16:31 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File
Comments:  11
Share |
Last update - 21:06 28/06/2009
Death threats sent to Jerusalem mayor following parking lot riots
By Nir Hasson and Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondents, and News Agencies
Tags: Haredim, Nir Barkat 

Two e-mail death threats were sent to Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat on Sunday, a day after police clashed with ultra-Orthodox demonstrators protesting the opening of a parking lot in the capital on Shabbat.

Security at Barkat's office has been increased following the threats, and police have opened an investigation.

Barkat's bureau issued a statement Sunday vowing that Barkat will not change his decision to open the parking lot.
Advertisement
On Saturday, twenty eight ultra-Orthodox demonstrators were arrested and six people were wounded during riots in Jerusalem against the Sabbath opening of the parking lot.

A 20-year-old Haredi man sustained serious head wounds during the turmoil; Magen David Adom emergency services said the man, suffering from convulsions, was taken to Hadassah Ein Karem for medical treatment.

Police said they had no further details about the circumstances in which the man was wounded.

Four police officers were also lightly hurt during the protests, as was a six-year-old boy, according to the Associated Press.

Near the site of the demonstration, thousands of secular Israelis held a counter-protest in support of Barkat's decision to open the Carta parking lot.

Despite the ultra-Orthodox protesters' attempts to block the parking lot entrance in the afternoon, hundreds of cars were able to park there successfully on Saturday.

The Mayor's bureau said later Saturday that the lot solved the problems of parking and public safety in Jerusalem's Old City.

"The mayor is obligated to maintain the public's safety and this concern is what guides him," said a Barkat spokesperson. "The police must now be concerned with public order."

In the wake of the protests, Barkat's security detail has been reinforced and a security guard has been placed outside of his home.

On Friday, ultra-Orthodox Jerusalemites staged a mass rally to protest the parking lot's opening.

Droves of Haredim flooded Bar Ilan Street, a major throughway in the heart of an ultra-Orthodox district, as well as other sites in the city.

Violent riots also erupted three weeks ago, after the municipality passed a resolution to open the Safra parking lot in the city center on the Sabbath. Hoping to appease the protesters, Barkat decided to open the nearby Carta lot instead, but the controversy has not subsided.

Numerous Haredi leaders from various factions, including Shas spiritual leader Ovadia Yosef and Rabbi Shalom Elyashiv, a leader of the Lithuanian Haredi community, joined the call to hold the mass prayer session after the protest was initially led by Eda Haredit, an extremist ultra-Orthodox group.

Protesters attacked journalists who were covering the events, including Channel 2 reporter Dafna Liel who had to cut short a live report
PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Historic victory
Israel reaches Davis Cup tennis semifinals after historic upset win over Russia
PA's failed leaders
Uzi Arad tells Haaretz: There is no Palestinian Sadat, no Palestinian Mandela
  1.   in the name of religion 21:24  |  SJ 28/06/09
  2.   WE SUPPORT YOU, NIR BARKAT! 21:38  |  michelle 28/06/09
  3.   god fearers ignore 10 commandments 22:00  |  Shelley 28/06/09
  4.   haredim 22:35  |  chawa 28/06/09
  5.   Jerusalem parking lot riots 22:59  |  Martin 28/06/09
  6.   I support Barkat 23:56  |  Mike 28/06/09
  7.   Hypocrites 23:57  |  John 28/06/09
  8.   Moshiachs Meal vs Parking Lot 00:00  |  Shimon Cleopas 29/06/09
  9.   Holy Terrorists 00:11  |  ghostoflutherblisset 29/06/09
  10.   Sad - Jewish State - Doesnt keep jewish law 00:59  |  Jay 29/06/09
  11.   Death threats over Parking Cars is Ridiculous!!! 12:51  |  The Archives 29/06/09
Special Offers
Advertisement
hotel Jerusalem
David Citadel Hotel, come stay at the finest of Jerusalem hotels.
ISRAEL ARMY SURPLUS STORE
IDF insignia,Uniforms, Paladium Boots Watches, Israel Army T-shirts & Collectibles
Dead Sea Skin Care
Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
More Headlines
16:13 Netanyahu: Israel never dallied on Iran nukes
16:12 Solana to UN: Accept Palestinian state even if Israel does not
16:14 IDF chief during Lebanon War says he'd do it again
16:11 Netanyahu says ready for immediate peace talks with Abbas
16:15 WATCH: The Israel cell phone ad that has Facebook group crying 'racist'
16:17 Maccabiah athletes offered $3,500 to move to Israel
11:39 Rolling Stones joins line-up of top rock stars to perform Israel
22:16 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
02:10 Gaza conflict sparks billboard battle in Texas
12:01 Palestinians reject any U.S.-Israel deal on settlements
08:31 Obama eyes progress in Syria ties despite 'troubling behavior'
15:22 French groups protest verdicts in murder of Jewish man
09:32 Netanyahu to Israel tennis team: You put Israel back on the map
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
| Israel 2009 election results | Makom: Engaging on Israel
| Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved