The Aguda Israel faction quit the Jerusalem City Council over the weekend to protest the construction of an amphitheater near the Jewish quarter of the Old City which might present productions that would offend religious sensibilities.
Menachem Porush, chairman of the Aguda Party in Jerusalem, said there would be violence unless the municipality destroys the amphitheater which is nearing completion. “There will be rioting and demonstrations around the city which will make the vast uproar over the archaeological digs in the City of David pale into nothingness,” he told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Although the departure of the five Aguda Council members leaves Mayor Teddy Kollek with a comfortable majority of 19 of his supporters in the 31-member body, it has been his policy to keep the Aguda within his coalition as a means to defuse tension between the Orthodox and secular elements in the city. A municipality spokesman indicated that the city had already given in to religious pressures by banning theatrical productions at the amphitheater and incorportating it into a public park.
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