A hareidi-religious activist has accused the Jerusalem municipality of collective punishment over its decision to cut services to select neighborhoods in the capital city. Chaim Miller of the Movement for Jerusalem and its Residents made the accusation Monday during an emergency meeting of the Movement's leadership.
Residents of several hareidi-religious neighborhoods of Jerusalem, including the elderly and infirm, went without services such as public transportation last week following hareidi riots over the removal of ancient bones from a construction site in Ashkelon.
Hareidi residents of Jerusalem are punished twice – once by the rioters, and again by the city, Miller said. “Why do we need to suffer from the smoke in our homes [from rioters' fires – ed.], and then be punished again by the city which prevents services like trash collection?” he asked. He claimed, as did others, that the rioters are a fringe element who will not be persuaded to stop by the services cuts.
"Why should we be punished for the incompetence of the police, which has not managed to get its hands on the lawbreakers?” Miller added.
City officials do enter hareidi neighborhoods such as Geula during the riots – but not to help, Miller accused. Municipal workers continue to write parking tickets while basic services are cut off, he said.
Miller criticized hareidi rioters as well. Renowned rabbis and public figures, including ex MK Arye Deri, in the hareidi-religious world have severely criticized rioters who damage public property and cause others to suffer by setting fires and disrupting traffic, he said. Miller said he had met with Jerusalem city officials and apologized for the rioters' behavior.