Tel Aviv bars ‘convert’ into synagogues in lockdown protest

The owners of a number of Tel Aviv bars have declared their businesses to be synagogues, in protest of government lockdown plans that will prevent all bars and restaurants from operating during the closure, while allowing dozens to take part in prayers at synagogues throughout the country during the High Holidays.

Channel 12 news reports on two Tel Aviv establishments, Kiton and Shishko, that have put up placards declaring them to be places of worship. The report notes that the two bars are currently treating the act as one of protest and satire and are not planning to rebel against government restrictions at this time — though they also aren’t entirely ruling it out.

Elad Dor, owner of Shishko, tells the network: “Does it sound reasonable to you that you can bring 100 people into a synagogue, and I, who have a restaurant for 300 people can’t let even 30 people in? Does that really make sense to you?

“And does it sound reasonable that supermarkets won’t have gatherings? And convenience shops can open, and yesterday they said [Jerusalem’s] Mahane Yehuda Market can open? Give me a break.”