Religious Jews stir dissent in Old City

Israel News.Net
Saturday 4th July, 2009

Religious Jews rioted in Jerusalem on Saturday, throwing stones and scuffling with police.

The ultra-orthodox demonstrators had been protesting the opening of a parking lot on the Sabbath.

The demonstrators accused the government of allowing the biblical holy day of rest to be desecrated.

Jewish religious law forbids driving on the
Sabbath.

The parking lot, which has been built to accommodate an influx of Israeli visitors to Jerusalem's Old City, has created a deep divide between orthodox and secular Jews.

Riots first erupted last month when the Jerusalem Municipality opened another lot near the Old City to ease the severe shortage of parking.

Secular Jews have become concerned at the violence levels and have demanded the city be open to them.

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