Regional Elections Committee Chairwoman Judge Michal Agmon-Gonen ruled this evening (Tuesday) that the rabbi of Bnei Brak, Rabbi Masoud Ben Shimon, is prohibited from participating in the "Welcoming His Rabbi" event scheduled to take place on Wednesday evening in the city of Torah and Hasidism - because it is a political event defined as election propaganda. The rabbi will only be able to participate in what is defined as the "religious part" of the event and will then leave the venue.
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The decision was made following a petition filed by Attorney Shimon Shmueli, on behalf of the 'Constitutional Death - Haredim to the State and Public Government'.
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The judge also prohibited Bnei Brak municipality employees, members of the Shas faction, including the mayoral candidate, MK Uriel Bosso, from speaking or sitting on the podium. In addition, the judge imposed a conditional fine of NIS 9,000 - if they do not comply with the decision.
The Bnei Brak municipality will enforce the decision.
This evening, the petitioner, Attorney Shimon Shmueli, a representative of the 'Hokati' association, spoke with the 'Haredim 10' website.
What led you to file the petition against the event?
"I am petitioning against all local authorities and against all incumbents, from Metula to Eilat. It doesn't matter right, left, religious, ultra-Orthodox. I had petitions for Kiryat Shmona, Netanya, Yeruham and Shoham.
""There are petitions that I submit privately and partly through the association as a representative - and this petition is one of them. I have no connection to any of the city candidates, they are trying to associate me, but I have no connection to anyone.".
In the end, you are an ultra-Orthodox person, who is filing a petition against the Shas party, which is an ultra-Orthodox party.
""Doesn't someone who is Haredi have the right to enforce the law? It turns out that if we are Haredi, we can't enforce the law. It's not permissible for a Haredi to petition for a law to be passed. It turns out that because we are Haredi, we are supposed to see violations of the law and see corruption - and remain silent. Is this how we are supposed to conduct ourselves? Why?
""I'm not against propaganda. You can do great, legal propaganda. We said - if you want to hold an event, decide what it is, if propaganda then in accordance with the rules. If not a propaganda event, but a Torah event - then a Torah event.
"Our claim was that the event was propaganda, because of the advertisement that featured notes from Shas and Uriel Bosso. It is clearly seen that it is a propaganda event. If it is such an event - there are two problems: One, a city rabbi who receives a salary cannot participate in a propaganda event. Two, a propaganda event, according to the law, is prohibited from having an orchestra. The Bnei Brak municipality and the Shas attorney general said: What the hell, this is a religious ceremony.
"The judge says: If it's a religious ceremony, then all the way. On the one hand, I allow you music and an orchestra, I'm not giving an order about it, but if it's a religious ceremony, there will be no propaganda, none of the elected officials or public servants will be able to sit on the stage. According to the decision, no one will sit on the stage, it will be like Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef's lesson in Yazdim.".
The question is whether there will be enforcement on the ground, maybe what you did was in vain? Because they will speak.
"The Bnei Brak municipality will be obliged to enforce the law. If someone from Shas gives a speech, we will demand the 9,000 shekels on probation and also contempt of court. Some people said they would not break the law, and some said it was worth it for them to pay 30,000 shekels to override the decision and hold the event.".
""Because of the municipality's response, which claimed that it was a religious ceremony, the judge required them to supervise the event and if they violate it, the municipality will be obligated to pay for the violation, as municipal employees will not be there.".
Is this war worthwhile?
""This is not a matter of war, we don't present it as a war. We don't make wars. Not every legal case is a war, it's a matter of law. The law is enforced. I can see Deri and Buso and hug them. If Buso invites me for coffee in the sukkah, I come to sit with him. There is no personal interest.
""Shas candidates from all over the country call to consult with me, what is allowed and what is not. Very senior candidates.".
What did you ask the Election Committee to do?
"Most of the city won't come, because it's a political event, and there won't be an orchestra...""
How will you know if it will be violated? Will you be present at the event?
"Yes. Why not, why don't I come to the place where all my friends are.".
They will deport you after what you did.
"No. And if so, they should be deported. I get a lot of good responses from Shas people too.".
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