A large Shabbos gathering of hundreds of Satmar Chassidic families in Tzfas has sparked controversy after local residents complained of noise, traffic disruptions, sanitation issues, and confrontations during the weekend.

The visitors, identified as members of Satmar and the Eidah HaChareidis, rented several public buildings that normally serve as educational institutions for the Shabbos.

According to local residents, the accommodations relied on industrial generators to provide electricity throughout Shabbos, leading to complaints about excessive noise. Following Shabbos, neighbors also reported large amounts of garbage left in the area surrounding the facilities.

The event has also raised questions regarding the legal status of one of the buildings used to house guests. Local activists claim the structure lacks the necessary occupancy approvals, though those claims have not been independently verified.

Residents further alleged that heavy pedestrian traffic created significant congestion, with large numbers of people walking on roads leading toward Ziv Medical Center, disrupting normal traffic flow.

One longtime Tzfas resident described an encounter while driving home.

“I was driving back from my daughter’s home when people began shouting ‘Shabbos’ and banging on my car,” she said. “I’ve lived in Tzfas for 40 years and have never experienced anything like this. The residents of Tzfas know how to respect one another, but these were people who came from outside the city.”

Social activist Natalie Pitusi, speaking on Radio North 104.5 FM, criticized both the use of public facilities and the lack of oversight.

“Our criticism is not against chareidim,” she said. “We simply feel that facts were imposed on us without consultation. We also want to know where the money went. These are public buildings funded by taxpayers.”

She also alleged that police temporarily closed nearby roads during parts of the weekend and claimed there were confrontations between visitors and local residents.

In response, the Tzfas Municipality acknowledged the seriousness of the complaints.

“This is a serious incident that requires a thorough examination, lessons to be learned, and a briefing of all relevant parties to ensure that such an event does not happen again,” the municipality said.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)