Ultra-orthodox Claim Responsibility for Attack on Dr. Maier’s Home in Autopsy Dispute

The “Eidah Charedit,” an organization composed of ultra-Orthodox Jews here, most of whom do not recognize the State of Israel, claimed responsibility today for an attack on the apartment of Dr. David Maier, director of Shaare Tsedek Hospital, in a protest against his refusal to prohibit autopsies in the hospital. Dr. Maier was not at home when a band of about 80, most of them youngsters, broke into his apartment, manhandled his aged mother and smashed furniture and other property. Police rounded up 79 suspected of taking part in the incident, but they were released on parole yesterday because of the Passover holiday and will be brought to trial later.

Rabbi Joseph Sheinberger, spokesman for the group, which regards the Satmar Rebbe in New York as its spiritual leader, said it would continue the fight against Dr. Maier. The organization has conducted several demonstrations against the pathologist, protesting his designation as director of the most Orthodox hospital in Jerusalem. Dr. Maier came here from New York. The ultra-Orthodox group objects to his policy on autopsies which, like his predecessor’s, has been to let the hospital rabbi rule in each case whether an autopsy was permissible under Jewish religious law. The attending rabbi is not considered sufficiently Orthodox by the protesting elements.