The Beersheba zoo separated men from women as it held a special day for the ultra-Orthodox community on Wednesday, Maariv reported on Thursday morning. Anyone dressed modestly could enter, deputy mayor Ofer Cardi said.
A large sign at the entrance to the zoo notified the public that the zoo was open only for ultra-Orthodox, infuriating many visitors who had arrived at the site, including parents who had planned to take their children to see the animals.
Some secular families decided not to cancel their planned visit, and were greeted at the gates with shawls given to women with exposed shoulders.
According to the report ushers barred some of the secular crowd from using shuttles between the parking lot and the zoo gates, which were organized by the ultra-Orthodox.
Inside the zoo the childrens playgrounds were divided, with boys playing in one part and girls in the other. Maytal Pinsler, a secular mother who visited the zoo with her family, told Maariv she was disappointed, and felt she “shouldn’t be separated from her husband,” adding that public places are meant to be open to everyone.
Deputy Mayor Cardi, himself ultra-Orthodox, explained that the day was planned to allow ultra-Orthodox families the option to enjoy a holiday visit at the zoo, but anyone dressed modestly could enter since the place wasn’t closed.
“Maybe the wording should have been different,” Cardi said when asked about the sign at the entrance to the zoo. “I see secular and Arab families in the crowd, but the majority are ultra-Orthodox,” he added.
The Beersheba municipality said anyone interested could visit the zoo, but a special Passover happening was organized for religious families.
