Israel Cabinet Rejects New Road As Solution to Sabbath Rioting Problem

The Cabinet today decided, on the basis of a report by a special Ministerial committee, that the proposed building of a special road from the Mandeibaum Gate, to bypass the ultra-Orthodox Meah Shearim quarter, was not feasible and would not provide a permanent solution to the problem of the Sabbath rioting which had recently been plaguing the capital. At the same time, the Government announced that it would favor steps by the Jerusalem Municipality, and would aid the city in the construction of new roads in connection with the development of the northern part of Jerusalem which would absorb some of the traffic load to and from the Mandelbaum Gate. At present, the police would divert some of the traffic on the Sabbath in order to avoid the unnecessary congestion of the street which has been the scene of Sabbath clashes in recent weeks.

The Cabinet also adopted a resolution rejecting “the wicked slanders and shameful acts” of the followers of the Neturei Karta, the ultra-Orthodox zealots, in New York, who smeared swastikas on the Israel Consulate building there, and who “engaged in spreading malicious slanders about the persecution of religion by the Israel Government.” The Government heard reports on the matter today by Justice Minister Dov Joseph who returned from a visit to the United States and brought back photographs showing the various signs bearing slogans carried by the demonstrators in front of the Consulate.