“There is no reason on earth for a person to raise a hand – let alone on helpless girls.” Beit Shemesh Mayor Moshe Abutbul said Tuesday in reference to Na’ama Margolis, the seven-year-old girl who was spat on by a haredi man who claimed she was not dressed “modestly enough.”
Addressing the recent acts of violence against women in his city perpetrated by local ultra-Orthodox, the mayor said “there is no pardon for those who behave provocatively. Rioters should be dealt with a firm hand.”
Abutbul spoke to reporters at his office just hours before a mass demonstration is expected to take place in the city against the exclusion of women from the public sphere. “Beith Shemesh denounces such behavior. Violent men belong behind bars. I urge Israel Police to act with a firm hand against all the rioters, and I call on you (the press) not to put all (the ultra-Orthodox) in one basket,” the mayor said.
The mayor’s office rejected claims that municipality was backing the exclusion of women in the city. City officials mentioned that since Abutbul took office five women – all secular – were appointed to senior positions in the municipality.
“The exclusion of women may exist on some streets or in some neighborhoods, but it has nothing to do with the municipality or its policies,” one official said. Jerusalem Police has completed its preparations for the mass rally, with hundreds of officers being deployed to maintain order and secure the demonstrators.
Mayor Abutbul said he welcomes the protesters to Beit Shemesh “to send a clear message against violence perpetrated by a few (members of the Sicarri sect) who shame the city and all of Israeli society.”
On Monday the City of Beit Shemesh announced that it would install between 300 and 400 surveillance cameras throughout the city as part of the effort to curb the growing violence.
If you realy wish to stop the Haredim’s outragous violent behaviour,
“Just follow the money” and stop all the money and “Shnore” they
recieve from the government in many diferent routs,and put them in
jail like any criminal for such behaviour.
the Haredim violent behaviour is a result of the weak and
forgiving attitude of the government and the politicians over
many many years, giving in to their blackmail tactics just
because they needed their few miserable votes.
the Haredim are used to blackmailing the autorities for decades
why should they stop now? look at their money launering and
other so called white collar crimes, even their Rabbis are involed
in it in Israel and in the USA.
Its about time now that the authorities should treat the Ultra Orthodox
like every citizen, they are no saints, on the contrary, they are laudering
money and some of their rabbis ( lately in New Jersey, US.)
were charged in dealing in human organs ! a real Shamefull crimes.
the Haredim lately were involved in bribing the government Inspectors
that are supposed to verify the number of Yeshiva boys they realy
have in each Yeshiva, so that the government will support them,
they cheated the Government for millions of Shekels,
We should stop treating them like saints, many of them are Crooks.
(not all of them but quite a lot) it became a Norma.
The Ultra Orthodox and their disgusting Shamefull treatment
of women in general and women using the public buses they
also use,they should be charged every time they abuse or even
dare to say anything unbecoming to women,(the case of the -
young soldier woman) in a normal democracy they would be
charged and sit in jail for such behaviour.