This really makes me mad. Last Wednesday evening was the opening of the "chords bridge" (gesher hamatarim). The plans were to have the usual opening ceremony with singers and dancers. Of course, this being Jerusalem, it was all rather modest and not much flesh showing. I have been in Jerusalem quite a few times over the last few months and have watched the bridge growing. I quite like it. It looks so out of place against the ancient buildings and so really catches the eye. What is great is that its the beginning of the light rail line that all Israeli cities need.
During the Mon
day dress rehearsal for the opening ceremony, the wonderful religious people of Givat Shaul and decided that there were "prostitutes" in the show and that this "terrible harlotry" was threatening the city. The mayor bent to the pressure. So here are some before and after pictures. These twelve year old dancers were forced to wear robes and ski caps in order not to offend the haredim. Its amazing what we let happen in this country. The people of Jerusalem (and Israel) are being held hostage by these religious fanatics. There has been much venom in the press 
coverage of the ceremony. Calls to stop the "Talibanation" of Israeli have been heard everywhere. But, Jerusalem is a sacred subject and it seems to be run with its own laws.Ironically on the Thursday afternoon after the opening, the annual Gay Pride march took place in Jerusalem. Getting permission for the march was not easy, and they had to take a "less visible" and non offensive route through the city. But, at least no one was stabbed this year.
No comments:
Post a Comment