Atra Kadisha members rioted • Rabbi Shmidel arrested

Drama at the construction site of the Government Campus in Beer-Sheva: - Hgr"d Shmidel, president of the 'Atra Kadisha, rioted and arrested by the police. This evening he will be remanded in court.

In the afternoon (Tuesday) Hgr"d Shmidel arrived with operatives at the compound to protest the desecration of ancient graves performed, they argue, at the site. During the protest police were summoned to keep the protesters away from the complex.

As part of the effort to restore order, police arrested Hgr"d Shmidel. "Police along with security guards cuffed his hands," said an organization activist to B'Chadrei Charedim, "as if he is a criminal." The activist also accuses the police of using shockers: "They put him into the car and drove away."

All attempts by activists to explain to the police that this is an important and rabbinical figure, who must not be arrested, were unsuccessful.

Atra Kadisha - which is currently under public criticism within the Haredi community - responded strongly to the arrest of the head of the organization: "This is crossing a red line. We have received today another proof of the murderous campaign being waged against us, to break the members of the organization. Attempts are done here to eliminate our struggle against the desecration of graves. "

One organization member also warns: "If the police will not release Rabbi Shmidel within two hours - the country will burn with demonstrations."

However B'Chadrei Charedim has learned that police suspect that members of Atra Kadisha, wanted Rabbi Shmidel arrested.

At the time of his arrest – Badatz Eidah Charedi convened to discuss other topics which are not connected to the desecration of graves.

Operatives of the organization, it is argued, quietly and secretly planned the demonstration, and when Rabbi Shmidel reached the compound, they interfered in the work.

The police were summoned - and arrested him. "They wanted the arrest to be made during the hearing of the Badatz, in order to turn the subject into desecration of graves. Apparently, in Beer Sheva, shock was expressed at his arrest - although so far Badatz did not issue a statement about what is happening in the compound."

Superintendent Nava Taboo of the Negev District Police spokeswoman said in response to B'Chadrei Charedim a group of twenty protesters arrived at the construction site in Beer Sheva, and demonstrated. One of the protesters violated the order seriously and attacked a cop and as a result he was arrested.

Atra Kadisha, deny that the arrest was planned.

Around the compound where a Government campus is being established in Beer Sheva - a raging storm is taking place.

The Association to prevent desecration of graves previously contacted the company claiming that there is a fear of desecration of graves in the compound. After testing it turned out that indeed there are graves there. Subsequently, the company changed some of the construction plans, and agreed to accept the provisions of the Association, subject to the rabbis. Changes to the construction program, cost more money.

On the other hand, as in many other cases, the competing organization, Atra Kadisha, argued that monitoring is not enough, and that there still is a desecration of graves. They opened the demonstrations at first in Beer Sheva and later in other cities.

Things lost control when Gedolei Yisrael, including Reb Chaim Kanievsky and Hgr"n Karelitz, along with Rab"d of 'Haeideh' Reb Moshe Sternbuch, signed a letter of support for the Karso company - after they complied with the orders of the association and changed the plans.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!