Jerusalem Municipality Under Fire for Dismantling Rabbi's Sukkot Booth

Jerusalem's municipality has drawn sharp criticism from the Haredi community for ordering the dismantling of a prayer booth belonging to Rabbi "HaGaon HaNokaa" during the Sukkot holiday. The booth, located in the Yemin Moshe neighborhood near the Old City walls, was reportedly erected on private property with the full approval of the relevant authorities, including the Jerusalem Foundation and the neighborhood committee. Despite this, municipal inspectors were dispatched to dismantle it mid-holiday.

Sources close to the matter allege that the order came directly from Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon, who they claim also pressured the neighborhood committee to retract its prior approval. The incident has caused significant outrage within the Haredi sector, with community leaders reportedly confronting Leon during his visits to prominent rabbis, condemning the action as "an act reserved for questionable figures in Jewish history, and certainly not for the Mayor of Jerusalem."

Despite the controversy, prayers and religious lessons led by Rabbi HaGaon HaNokaa have continued as scheduled in a nearby Sukkot booth at "Beit Samuel." The rabbi reportedly delivered a special lesson on the importance of the Sukkot commandment and the severity of its desecration, drawing parallels to historical events that led to Jerusalem's destruction.

Some in the Haredi public have vowed not to let the perceived affront to religious dignity pass, attributing the municipality's actions to a complaint from a single neighbor. They are demanding an immediate halt to the "harassment," a public apology, and assurances that such actions will not recur in Jerusalem.

The Jerusalem Municipality issued a statement asserting that the matter is under review, claiming that a permit for a Sukkot booth in Yemin Moshe was not approved this year due to resident complaints from the previous year. They added that if the prohibition is violated, the municipality will enforce it using all available means.