Hundreds of secular Israelis demonstrated in Safra Square in Jerusalem on Shabbat, protesting the decision of the municipality to close the Safra parking facility this week. Last Shabbat, hundreds of Haredi demonstrators demanded that the facility be closed, after city officials opened it by order of the police.
According to an arrangement worked out by city officials, Haredi leaders and the municipality, the facility was to be closed this Shabbat and next while an alternative plan to accommodate parking in the center of the city was worked out. Protesters carried signs condemning Mayor Nir Barkat for capitulating to pressure by the Haredim.