Is Safed Mayor Ilan Shohat harassing ultra-Orthodox photographer Elimelech Gerstel?
This morning (Tuesday), Gerstel, a photographer who has been covering events in the city of Safed for years, wrote on the social network Twitter: "I was invited by the Road Safety Department to film an awards ceremony for children. The ceremony was held in the office of Safed Mayor Ilan Shohat, who was not present. I filmed from 10:20 to 10:55, when Shohat entered, recognized me, and kicked me out of the office.".
""The reason," Gerstel wrote, "is that I bring the truth about him to the public.".
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• Elimelech, what happened?
""Shamelessly, there were council members, Torah study directors, children sitting there - and then he kicked me out.".
• What does he have against you?
""Probably because of all the recent stories I've written about him. His trip to Nepal, council meetings, and more. But he just won't let me work, as soon as he recognizes me on the spot.".
• Greetings to Tamir Engel, spokesman for the mayor of Safed. Photographer Elimelech Gerstel was removed this morning during a photo shoot by the mayor. Why?
""The Safed Municipality operates according to regulated rules. The photographer was not invited to document the ceremony, to which only residents who actively participated in the road safety project were invited.
""It should be emphasized that documentation is carried out as needed through the municipality's spokesperson and information system or by granting prior permits to journalists who hold a press card from the Government Press Office.".
• He said he was invited by the road safety department.
""The event was held at the city hall. I'm an amateur inviting people on my behalf...""
• Are you serious? The body that receives the awards cannot bring a photographer with it - what's the problem with that? Therefore expel a photographer? And since when does the mayor personally expel photographers? Isn't that your job, in case it's required?
""Go to the body that invited him and find out how such a failure occurs in which they do not inform me or the mayor's office who is coming. I am not the address...""
• And why did the mayor himself expel? Since when does a mayor deal with such things?
""I think I answered you with full respect and seriousness. Let's move forward... Minister of Education, here we go back to work.".
