Tel Aviv, Orthodox group fail to reach compromise after permits for Sukkot pulled

An arbitration hearing at the Tel Aviv District Court between the municipality and an Orthodox Jewish organization whose permits to hold events in the city over Sukkot was revoked ends without any compromise between the sides.

The court session comes after Tel Aviv canceled Rosh Yehuhdi’s permits to stage public events during Sukkot after the organization attempted to hold a public Yom Kippur prayer service in the heart of Tel Aviv with an improvised gender divider, sparking bitter confrontations between organizers and attendees and protesters, and unprecedented scenes of anger and accusations on the Jewish Day of Atonement earlier this week.

Today’s meeting was held behind closed doors, with the Ynet news site reporting that shouting could be heard outside the room.

Israel Zeira, the head of Rosh Yehudi, accuses the municipality of having no intention to compromise while asserting he will respect the court’s decision.

“This is an injustice that cries out to heaven,” Zeira tells reporters.

The municipality reiterates it pulled Rosh Yehudi’s permits for violating its policy against gender segregation and says the group can join other public Sukkot events in the city.

Last week, the same court rejected an appeal by Rosh Yehudi against the municipality’s decision.