Hundreds of haredim protest Shabbat-defying cinema in Jerusalem
Protest over decision to open new cinema multiplex on Shabbat leads to confrontation in the streets, as crowds throw stones at police.
Hundreds of Orthodox Jews protested on Friday evening the opening of a new cinema multiplex in Jerusalem that will be open on Saturday.
Protestors threw stones at police and smashed windows. Following the incident, most of the protestors left the area.
The protests occurred in neighborhoods far away from the new theater.
Following the official opening of the theater earlier, Moshe Greidinger, CEO of Yes Planet's parent company Cineworld PLC, said he was aware of the possibility that haredi groups might protest.
"I believe in live and let live, anytime it doesn't hurt someone else," said Greidinger. "I grew up with the Jerusalem 'Shabbat wars' – in the end you reach a status quo and I believe it will be that way this time as well."
