Charges and counter-charges were voiced in parliament today against the Israel police authorities and were referred for further discussion to the parliamentary committee dealing with internal affairs.
The charges were voiced by deputies of the Religious Bloc who claimed that the police acted illegally against Orthodox Jews during a demonstration which they staged in Jorusalem against desecration of the Sabbath. The counter-charges were made by Mapam deputies who said that the Orthodox Jews had no right to obstruct the vehicles of foreign diplomats passing through their quarter here on the Sabbath.
Zorach Warhafting, of the Religious Bloc, proposed in the Knesset that a parliamentary discussion be held of “police behavior in dispersing religious Jews conducting Sabbath demonstrations.” He said the police used “unnecessary force, hit people unlawfully and entered private homes.”
Mapam deputy Hannah Rubin countered Mr. Warhaftig’s proposal with a suggestion that the “behavior of the religious Jews in hampering the free movement of vehicles on Saturday and assaulting foreign diplomats passing through the Meah Shearim quarter” be taken up for discussion.
Police Minister Behor Sheetreet, replying to criticism of police behavior, pointed up the difficulties of the police, “who must maintain order since there is no law permitting or prohibiting cars from going through Jerusalem’s streets on Sabbath.” He said that in view of the foregoing conflicting motions it was evident that the police had acted correctly.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
