JERUSALEM (JTA) — A Jerusalem city-owned parking lot will be open on Shabbat, the city’s mayor announced.
Mayor Nir Barkat said Tuesday night that he would open a municipal parking lot near Safra Square, just outside the walls of the Old City, on Saturday.
The decision comes two weeks after another attempt to open a parking lot near the Old City to accommodate visitors to Jerusalem on a Saturday ended in riots by fervently Orthodox Jerusalem residents. The lot was operated by a non-Jew and parking was free in order not to offend the Orthodox community.
The city’s fervently Orthodox community has vowed to hold another demonstration this Saturday should the lot be opened.
The city had wanted to open a private lot that is currently in receivership, pending court approval. The court has delayed its decision until next week, necessitating the opening of the municipal lot.
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