The Jerusalem Municipality has increased security for Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Israel Kellerman, due to telephone threats he received from residents of the Neve Yaakov neighborhood, following the demolition of the Heichal Nissim synagogue this morning.
In the early morning hours, Jerusalem Municipality tractors, accompanied by YSM forces and police, arrived at the synagogue compound in Neve Yaakov and destroyed the caravan that had been illegally erected on land designated for Talmud-Torah study.
Kellerman, a resident of the neighborhood, was recently involved in talks between the tax collectors and the Jerusalem Municipality, and he also tried to offer various solutions - but without success.
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After the demolition of a synagogue, some worshippers, whose judgment was apparently clouded by pain and anger, sent explicit threats to Kellerman. As a result, the municipal officer decided to attach security to the deputy mayor.
Israel Kellerman's office told Haredim10: "Deputy Mayor Israel Kellerman tried to mediate between the parties. As always, when negotiations hit a snag, accusations were hurled everywhere, including in Kellerman's direction. The municipality is demanding that Kellerman submit himself to security. He himself did not request this.".
A representative of the worshippers told Haredim10: "This is a cheap diversion from the Torah Flag faction's seminary in Jerusalem. Instead of focusing on the incomparably more serious problem of demolishing a small temple that has existed for decades.".
In the past - unrelated to this affair - the tires of Kellerman's car were punctured by unknown persons while parked near his home. A complaint was even filed with the police at that time.
Council members who spoke with Haredim10 say that it is impossible for the Avrechim to threaten the Durban branch, to the point that the municipality would have to attach security to it. "This is a great blasphemy. We act every day in dozens of cases, with the majority of them turning out for the best. Unfortunately, we do not always succeed, but it is unacceptable that there will be threats from dissatisfied residents.".
The municipality's response: "For obvious reasons, the municipality does not engage in communication on issues of security for municipal employees and elected officials.".
