Israel Railways announced that the Jerusalem Yitzchak Navon train station will be closed on Thursday, beginning at 12:30 p.m., and will remain shut until the end of the mass tefillah rally taking place in the city.
According to the statement, the decision was made in coordination with the Israel Police due to the heavy crowding expected at the station, which is located in the heart of the rally area. However, the police claim that the decision was made solely by Israel Railways.
“The decision was made to ensure public safety,” the railway spokesperson said. “All train lines and stations, except for Yitzchak Navon, will operate as usual. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
The decision aroused the ire of Chareidim, with representatives saying that the move discriminates against tens of thousands who planned to travel to the event by train.
Shas chairman MK Aryeh Deri contacted Israel Railways, demanding answers over the outrageous decision to close the station, and was told the move came following a police directive. Deri then appealed to National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, urging him to intervene immediately.
“Such a decision will leave tens of thousands stranded across the country and block intersections,” Deri said. “It’s an illegitimate move that prevents a massive public from coming to daven. Ben Gvir promised to act immediately to find a solution.”
MK Yisrael Eichler also called on Transportation Minister Miri Regev and Minister Itamar Ben Gvir “not to cooperate with those persecuting the Chareidi public. Train service must be allowed to operate as usual for the safety of the public. Halting service will endanger the masses of passengers crowding stations and trains on their way there and back. One must remember that during the large left-wing protests near the Knesset, the trains operated as usual, and no protester was prevented from arriving or returning whenever they wished.”
The photos below show the use of the train by left-wing protesters during the protests against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu:
Following the threat of a lawsuit for discrimination, and an urgent situational assessment attended by Ben-Gvir and Police Chief Dani Levy, it was announced that the train will continue to operate at least until 1:07 p.m.
A statement was issued saying, “During the situational assessment, a review of police preparedness was provided, which will allow freedom of expression, as it has allowed all protests in recent years, while maintaining law and order.”
“Regarding the burden on public transportation, it was decided that the train will be able to operate at least until 1:30 p.m. (later changed to 1:07 p.m.)
“If Israel Railways and the organizers provide ushers to maintain order with regard to crowding and congestion, the train can be operated even after that time.”
The train station in Jerusalem at midday:
Following the announcement of Jerusalem station’s closure, the Emes L’Yaakov B’Yisrael organization submitted a warning letter prior to filing a petition to the Supreme Court against Israel Railways and the Ministry of Transportation, alleging discriminatory and unlawful policies in the operation of the railway’s services.
According to the organization, while Israel Railways recently announced a special reinforcement of 14 additional trains ahead of performances by a secular singer in Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv, it announced a complete closure of the Jerusalem train during a legal Chareidi rally.
However, in a move that surprised no one, the Supreme Court refused to hold an emergency hearing on the petition, stating that there was insufficient time to do so. It should be noted that it acted differently in the past, when emergency petitions were submitted by left-wing organizations.
The Emet LeYaakov organization in Israel stated that this is a serious failure that undermines public trust in state institutions.
“While for private and commercial events—such as major concerts in Tel Aviv — Israel Railways increases service and operates additional trains, when it comes to a public event of the Chareidi community, not only is service not increased, but trains are completely canceled. This is discrimination that has no place in a democratic state,” the organization said.
The statement continued: “From now on, we will ensure that every event in Israel is subject to the same standards. If the police and Israel Railways have decided on a new policy, it will apply to everyone, including private shows. A public service cannot be operated according to the identity of its participants.”
The organization announced that starting next week, it will proactively monitor all train service increases for large events in order to ensure full and uncompromising equality among all citizens of the state.
Earlier, in the letter sent to the CEO of Israel Railways, the Minister of Transportation, and the Attorney General, the organization claims the decision constitutes prohibited discrimination and a violation of the principles of equality, freedom of movement, and freedom of protest, as enshrined in Israel’s Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty and in High Court rulings.
The organization demands that Israel Railways and the Ministry of Transportation commit to an equal and neutral policy in the operation of train services for both public and private events, and respond within seven days—otherwise, a petition will be filed.
Emes L’Yaakov stated, “It is inconceivable that in a democratic state, Israel Railways would increase service for entertainment shows but block access routes to a legal protest rally. This is blatant discrimination that violates the fundamental rights of law-abiding citizens.”
“As a government-owned company, Israel Railways is bound by legal principles and a duty of neutrality, and may not exercise commercial or political considerations in the allocation of a state-owned public resource. Reinforcing train lines for an entertainment event, while unreasonably closing them for participation in a lawful democratic rally, constitutes a discriminatory and disproportionate policy that demands immediate government intervention.”
(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
One Response
Why are the Haredi politicians so foolish? The secular events have maybe 30,000 people. It is not that difficult to make arrangements for that number . Keeping the train station with it’s long escalators safe for hundreds of thousands is nigh impossible. All it wou neet would be for 15-20 rambunctious bochurim to fall on the longest escalator in the station, and Meron would look like a minor accident. Jerusalem,’s Yitzchak Navon station is built for regular usage not hundreds of thousands. The Haredi politicians should be please the authorities are keen to avoid a disaster.