Opinion
The war for Jerusalem
Bambi Sheleg
Published: 31.10.11, 17:50
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24 Talkbacks for this article
1. Jews "Jewing" Jews, Females, Arabs, Christians, non-Jews
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (10.31.11)
Who is a Jew, what is a Jew, who decides, right wing nut jobs?
2. Nir Barkat vs Rachel Azaria
Paul Jancu ,   NY - USA   (10.31.11)
In supporting religious factions opposed to Ms Azaria's efforts to advance J'lem's best interests it seems that Mayor Nir Barkat sides with the wrong crowd.
3. value of women
michael ,   germany   (10.31.11)
two points: a) Women are valued very strongly in Jewish religious society, I believe broadly compared, stronger than in secular societies b) It is not about women! It is maybe a halachic discussion, maybe a hashkafa discussion, but for sure not a discussion/or call it conflict about the value of women.
4. I agree with Azaria
Israeli 2   (10.31.11)
5. Barkat
Ahron ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (10.31.11)
Barkat, At the end of the day, is just another politician. Moderate, Liberal, Conservative. Any politician, no matter what ideology, cares about votes and retaining power. So, if Barkat has to give into something that is rather idiotic, he'll do it in order to save is skin. The haredi community, or at least the portion of the community that is trying to enforce what is essentially 'Shariah' law is no better or worse than the people they supposedly despise. If not for the outward appearance (and I apologize for over generalizing) one wouldn't be able to tell the fools in Tehran for the fools in Jerusalem. May Hashem grant us sanity.
6. Women segregation in Jerusalem
Samuel ,   London UK   (10.31.11)
Because women are not sexual objects and because religous Jewry value and respect their womenfolk,during peak times when thousands upon thousands descend upon a very small area the most respectable solution to avoid the women being trampled on is to have some seperation barrier.
7. 100% on spot thanks Ms. Sheleg
(10.31.11)
8. Misleading article
shadoil ,   Jerusalem   (10.31.11)
While I uphold the rights of women to the highest imperative, the fact that in this strictly orthodox neighborhood you would try to impose your life philosophy is total hyprocrisy. They havent come to your neighbor hood and demand seperate walkways , they want it near their homes. Indeed , tens of thousands of tourists tour their neighbor hood at the time of chag and they should be able to establish some form of decorum just as you would if this many people came to your neighborhood. Regardless of whether you agree that this is legitamat decorum , to the chareidi frame of reference it is. Stop trying to impose on them as you would stop them from imposing on you. and stop being so damn self righteous.
9. "Women are not sexual objects"
Jake ,   USA   (10.31.11)
I wholeheartedly agree, but lets be honest: men are far more attracted to the physique of a woman than vice versa. If I were a woman, I would be happy, rather than offended, that men are helplessly attracted to women in such a way. The segregated buses are not about sending women to "the back" they are about separating the sexes within a particular community. I believe the people have the right to demand this separation within their community, just as secular citizens have the right to their own arrangements within their communities. It is also noteworthy to mention that on the light-rail (in the Haredi communities) the men have agreed to ride the second car (the back car) since their is ample separation from the first car. It is not about degrading women, its about curbing the temptation to mingle with the opposite sex, and again, it is their choice, so long as they don't impose such rules on the rest of the country.
10. OBSESSED
ZIONIST ,   BROOKLYN   (10.31.11)
Many secular jews in israel are way too obsessed about how women are treated in the ultra orthodox communities.I wonder why?
11. #8 Shadoil misleading response
Haim ,   TA   (11.01.11)
So do please explain why the charideem held violent protests on Shabbat to stop people using a car park that is no where near where they live? Just another case of the charideem forcing their life style on others. Jerusalem belongs to all Israelis and is not an ultra orthdox ghetto. Now they are starting with segregation on buses , soon they will be forcing that issue in other parts of the country, this is not Afghanistan and neither will we tollerate Sh-ass-Istan
12. Unlike other societies
Ish Kabibble ,   Delancey   (11.01.11)
I have yet to have witnessed either of my grandfathers beating my grandmothers Nor my father do it to my mohter I don't do it to my wife Women, as the story goes, were made from Adams rib, my wife is very much a part of me I have yet to hear of a Jewish woman being stoned to death because adultery was alleged
13. You see: the pious purveyors of pure idiocy a.k.a. Haredim
tom ,   tel aviv   (11.01.11)
are just trying their best to repair the screw-ups God has committed when He created Man/Woman. By total lack of long-term vision He (the Wise & Merciful One) gave the woman a fine ass....! Now, who'd have thought that we (Men) shall be so attracted to it!??? Just asking...
14. Secular Hypocrites
K ,   Israel   (11.01.11)
Why are the seculars so obsessed with how the women are treated in the chareidi world?? How dare they force their views on them - these are the very same people who cry about the so-called religious coercion. Leave them alone, just as you want them to leave you alone. The only women who complain about the separate buses are the non-chareidi ones who refuse to respect the majority on the buses. Hypocrites!
15. #8 You have the right idea. (end)
Jason Tanner ,   San Antonio, TX   (11.01.11)
16. Balance: BIG secular/traditional ISRAEL, Temple Mount EMPTY
Jerry ,   The Netherlands   (11.01.11)
17. To #6 & #14
Au. ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (11.01.11)
Ppl who are "obsessed with how women are treated in haredi world" are not only "secular" ones, but religious ppl who are aware haredis became totally crazy. They would attack people who don't obey to their "barricades" if they visit Mea Sharim, and they should not be allowed to do so. If they want to be seen as "holy people" they should be able to look at the woman without having erection, don't you agree?
18. Bambi is religious herself
(11.01.11)
19. segregated streets
gabi ,   Australia   (11.02.11)
To # 6 - why can't the men avoid trampling on the women? Do women trample on the men?
20. RACHEL AZARIA MADE A GREAT IMPRESSION ON ME WITH HER OPINION
SJOERD RUURD VAN DER ,   MULTIVERSE   (11.02.11)
AND WITH HER PROFESSION.
21. It's really very simple
graczek ,   Maryland, USA   (11.03.11)
It's really very simple. Jerusalem is rightfully Muslim and Christian under current international and theological law since the days of the Roman Conquest. But today's situation must be recognized, and so Jerusalem must, as in 1947, be proclaimed once more an International City, under Muslim and Christian supervision, with no new Jewish immigration permitted, and the current Jewish population there reduced through normal attrition. Persons of the Hebrew persuasion have no legal administration or claim to Jerusalem since 135 AD at the latest.
22. She wasn't sacked for fighting the chareidim
Joshua ,   London, uk   (11.04.11)
She was sacked for taking a decision that her council made democratically and taking it above them. I agree with her actions but to fight your own coalition the respectful thing is to resign. She didn't. Barakat had no choice
23. Mr. Barkat, you've lost my vote in next elections
Emilio ,   jerusalem   (11.04.11)
Or more accurately, I have lost my vote in last elections.
24. #21: Graczek, I'd like to know the name of the tatoo-parlor
tom ,   tel aviv   (11.05.11)
that did the Swastika on your forhead, they must be first class, so in case I am doing something similiar I'd be happy to go to the right people. Thanks in advance
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