Shabbat Welcome: Over 250 residents of Kiryat Maor Haim in Safed, from all denominations and classes, came out to a Shabbat welcome ceremony in front of the 'Country Safed' pool, in protest of the desecration of Shabbat that is taking place there. The ceremony was organized by the Safed 'Shabbat Committee'.
After the mincha prayer in the central Beit Midrash, the worshippers headed toward the pool and began a large-scale Shabbat reception, with singing and dancing.
The owner of the place, Zion Halel, arrived at the country club in his car, fearing that the worshippers would break into the pool, and called the police.
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However, the police actually suggested that Hilal evacuate and return to his home. Secular residents living nearby tried to provoke a provocation by playing loud music, but the worshippers held their prayers quietly and without any disturbances.
In conversation with Haredim10 Zion Halal says: "I am in favor of closing the pool on Shabbat, but there is a way to do it. The place has been open on Shabbat for 40 years, and it cannot be changed in one day. I am holding talks with the Haredi representatives in the city, such as Deputy Mayor Nehorai Lahiani and Council member Eliezer Kaenig. It is not possible for every businessman to think that he is responsible for the city.".
As we first published here, a delegation from the Safed Shabbat Committee intends to contact the elders of Israel this week in order to issue a public letter prohibiting the public vacationing in Safed during the intervening days from using the pool.
In response to the boycott threat, Zion Halal says: "It's a shame to provoke unnecessary wars, we are on a good path that will lead to the pool being closed. Demonstrations and boycotts will achieve the opposite result, and ignite a fire between the secular residents and the ultra-Orthodox.".
