Exclusive: failed talks - Jerusalem on its way to Shabbos war

Is Shabbos war in Jerusalem inevitable?

Jerusalem's old station complex, located on Chevron Way, is expected to open next month and will become a commercial center sprawling on an area of 11 acres in which will be commercial space, art and food. In this area will be seven restaurants, along with a huge visitor center, shopping center and more. Opening the enclosure may rekindle Orthodox - secular relations in the capital.

So far, Avi Murdoch, a businessman and entrepreneur of the complex, has succeeded in raising six networks that operate restaurants throughout the country. According to the contract – network owners will open branches in the complex gradually starting next month.

This week it was announced that negotiations which took place with the 'Agadir' a burger network, reached a dead end. It is estimated that financial disagreements are what led to it. "The network did not agree to pay the amount Murdoch wanted." Chef Moshe Segev who has in his possession a number of restaurants ran past negotiations which failed for similar reasons.

B'Chadrei Charedim learned that Orthodox officials in Jerusalem are working to prevent the opening of the enclosure. Amongst efforts made, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch met with Avi Murdoch. The meeting took place three months ago and bore no fruit. It was also reported that Council member Yosef Deitch met with Murdoch at least twice in recent months. These meetings also did not help.

Haredim have a last faint hope in the meeting which will be held in two weeks, in which are expected to participate initiator of the compound - who has the authority to determine whether the compound will remain open on Shabbos, members of the committee for Shabbos as well as ultra-Orthodox council members at the Jerusalem municipality.

"The chances that the entrepreneur decides to close the compound on Shabbos are low," says a source involved in attempts to dialogue, "beyond the fact that he will have heavy pressure from all sides, he is bound to contracts signed with restaurant owners – which if breached may drag him to court, a story that can be completed in many years" .

So far, the activities of the council members is below the surface, "the secular force is trying to drag us into a culture war that would constitute a good start for them in the upcoming election," said a senior of Yahadut Hatorah in Jerusalem, "as long as we can operate without being drawn into this war, we will work in this way."

As to what to do Haredim will do if after all the complex will open on Shabbos, it has two answers. Senior at Yahadut Hatorah says that "the rabbis will decide." But on the other hand there are those certain that a protest is a matter of time, "it is alarming. For the first time in Jerusalem an entire area is being planned," says Yosef Rosenfeld, Chairman of Shabbos committee in Jerusalem, "This is not a shop or two, but a whole area."

"Last month, we sat and talked about the protests. This is a grave breach which has been broken, and no doubt we will be holding mass demonstrations against the operators of the compound." Will the demonstrations be held in the compound area? We asked. "Apparently not."

Project developer Avi Murdoch declined to comment. The response to his public relations firm was not available.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!