JERUSALEM (JTA) — The haredi Orthodox Jerusalem neighborhood of Mea Shearim will require gender separation on city streets during Sukkot, apparently ignoring an Israeli Supreme Court order.
Mea Shearim officials apparently are ignoring an order by Israel’s Supreme Court that ordered the neighborhood to halt the segregation when a similar attempt was made last year, including cloth partitions on certain streets. Women’s rights and other watchdog groups say they will fight against the segregation, Haaretz reported.
According to the ban, women will be forbidden to walk on certain city streets during the intermediate days of Sukkot, when thousands are expected to attend special ceremonies and programs, Haaretz wrote.
Large billboards posted throughout Mea Shearim announced the ban during the ceremonies. The signs asked women to use alternative streets in order "to help prevent mingling," according to the newspaper.
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