Three districts of Jerusalem whose residents are predominantly Orthodox should be barred to all Sabbath traffic, Levi Abrahami, Jerusalem’s police chief, recommended today to a public commission investigating the death of 55-year-old Pinhas Segalow in a riot following attempts by Neturei Karta members to interfere with Sabbath traffic in this city.
Testifying before the inquiry unit, Commissioner Abrahami also recommended that the transportation of Jerusalem residents by truck to nearby swimming pools and other amusement spots on the Sabbath be barred. This device has been used to circumvent the closing down of bus transport on the Sabbath in Jerusalem by the government-operated bus line.
Finally, the police commissioner suggested that some 30 ring-leaders among the Neturei Karta, who, he said, instigated roadblocks and other attempts at halting traffic, be kept under police surveillance, If they create further difficulties, he added, they should be banished to the Jordan held Old City of Jerusalem under the government’s emergency powers. Mr. Abrahami’s proposal, noted that members of the ultra. Orthodox sect which does not recognize the Israel Government have indicated a desire to return to the Old City.
His testimony followed that of Rabbi Moshe Forush, and Agudah leader, who charged that by failing to halt traffic circumventing the Sabbath regulations the government was responsible in part for last week’s riots. He noted that the trucks were not licensed to transport passengers. He insisted that the government act against those who broke the Sabbath regulations and thus provoked the disturbances. Until now, he said, the government had acted only against the religious elements.
Medical testimony, earlier, revealed that Mr. Segalow had died of an internal hemorrhage, but that there were no external signs of wounds which might have been inflicted during police action against the rioters. A post Morten was not permitted because of the religious beliefs of the dead man.
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.
