Jerusalem – ‘Batei Varshaw’ Real Estate Dispute Behind Mea She’arim Violence

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    In this Nov. 6 2011 image a fight broke out at Batei VarshawMea She’arim – Police again cracked down on the hareidi neighborhood of Mea She’arim last night, arresting dozens as protesters conducted angry protests against police interference in neighborhood affairs.

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    Protests, mostly by members of the Gerrer Hasidic sect and members and supporters of the hard-line Sikrikim group, have been going on for weeks, with residents burning tires and garbage bins, and throwing rocks and other objects at police. But over the past few days police responded in force – much to the surprise of many protesters, witnesses said.

    Among the tactics used by police was the deployment of undercover police dressed in hareidi garb who circulated among the protesters. When some protesters began throwing rocks at police, these “hareidim” quickly arrested them. Police have been using this tactic for several nights, and have managed to arrest dozens of protesters in this manner – a wave of arrests that has not taken place for many years, neighborhood veterans say.

    The protests and violence are part of what has been essentially a long-running dispute over a prime parcel of Mea She’arim real estate, called Batei Varshaw (“Warsaw Houses”), originally meant for use by poor hareidi immigrant families from Poland, but now at the center of a struggle over affordable housing and real estate development involving longtime residents (who claim they are being forced out), Gerrer Hasidim (who claim the Sikrikim group is trying to drive out Gerrer residents of the area), and the Sikrikim (who claim the Gerrer Hasidim are seeking to take over and use the area for a mass real estate project).

    Batei Varshaw, with 150 apartments, is located right off Shabbat Square at the center of Mea She’arim — and almost everyone agrees that the 130-year-old neighborhood is badly in need of an upgrade due to its dilapidated state.


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    31 Comments
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    shredready
    shredready
    12 years ago

    turf wars like the bloods and the crips

    Berel13
    Berel13
    12 years ago

    Wow those evil Zionist police

    tired
    tired
    12 years ago

    bottom line its all about power and money and all in the name torah how sad

    Oyvey
    Oyvey
    12 years ago

    Under Stalin no Russian could defy the authorities because he couldn’t trust his neighbor not to inform. Unfortunately, the Israeli police are being forced to emulate this tactic in order to restore a little sanity to chareidim.

    What a pity that we need the chilonim to force us back to the basics of yiddishkeit.

    12 years ago

    Is this any way for nice Jewish men to behave? Can’t we all just get along?

    DRE53
    DRE53
    12 years ago

    Wow!! Look at that gerer with the stick in his hand. How can someone do that? I hope the gerer rebbe strongly condemned this.

    Phineas
    Phineas
    12 years ago

    not exactly lishma

    rebbeofalltherebbes
    rebbeofalltherebbes
    12 years ago

    in every interview with individuals from both sides, there is always a Shank full of Sforim prominently displayed in their homes,
    Think they ever looked into these Sforim?

    WiseDude
    WiseDude
    12 years ago

    And while this goes on and on and on, thousands of yingerleit go off the derech. no need to wonder why.

    12 years ago

    The problem stems from a previous generation of trustees who did not take any active interest in the housing complex, as was the case all over Jerusalem at the time. Savvy individuals saw the opportunity and weedled their way into the committee, and bided their time, allowing the complexes to fall into total disrepair. They now feel sufficiently politically strong to make a move, and are in a position to argue that the complex needs to be rebuilt – but they have no intention of upholding the original terms of the Trust, to provide affordable housing, and wish to turn part or all of it into a shopping mall. This would not only exacerbate the already dire housing situation, but would flood the area with people – shopkeepers and shoppers – who are, to put it mildly, not suited to the area, placing even more pressure on those residents who wish to preserve their way of life. Of course, the Gerer have no respect for that way of life, and have themselves abandonded Jerusalem – a previous rebbe forbade them to buy homes in the city . In addition, this will actually be a double coup, by getting back a group that on the whole refuse to vote for their beloved political party.

    sane
    sane
    12 years ago

    If they were educated and had normal decent jobs, then they would not have to fight over crumbs.

    bubii
    bubii
    12 years ago

    rushu lomo sakei raiehu. evil one why are you hitting youre friends

    whererurbrains
    whererurbrains
    12 years ago

    Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The fight is about real estate. Who is this huge chuchem of the mah nishtana that finally figured out this hugely complicated obscure generally unknown reason for the fight ????? We gotta give now real credit for his geniusness in figuring this out after breching his kup for so long.

    maxedout
    maxedout
    12 years ago

    If this is the future of yiddishkeit, I want no part of it. These animals (they are not people) need to get their heads smacked around a little. Bunch of leidig – geiers. If they worked for a living, they wouldnt have time for this nonsense.

    Phineas
    Phineas
    12 years ago

    These people live in a narrow world and have no idea as to how to resolve issues that disturb their delicate equilibriums. Also, I doubt any of these “fighters” are big time beis medrash successes. They are creating their own avodah b/c fighting against perceived sources of tumah is easy compared to spending two hours on a Tosafos.

    Someone needs to put together a sefer on meschlechkeit, civility, constructive problem solving and general graceful manners. I know it’s already kula ba in the Torah but people need it spelled out for them.

    SherryTheNoahide
    SherryTheNoahide
    12 years ago

    Wow- it’s sad to see brothers fighting amongst each other like this! I would think it’s a big Chillul HaShem to be violent towards one another… over real estate? Over nonsense? How embarrassing! Sometimes I think if the ancient prophets & sages could see us all now… both Jew & gentile alike… what would they say?!

    They’re probably turning over in their graves as we speak! Women walking around half dressed, men treating their wives w\disrespect & the wives doing the same to their men, brothers fighting amongst each other, over matters which could be resolved just by talking it out, & etc.! It’s crazy!

    We’ve got to get back to the basics people! Torah! HaShem! Putting Him first, and doing what He expects out of all of us: to love our brothers & sisters as much as we love ourselves, and to want for them what we would want for ourselves, and etc.

    The moment we start turning on each other (even though we’re all on the same team), the more WE are all responsible for the 3rd Temple not being rebuilt!

    It’s no wonder the Moshiach isn’t coming… look how we treat each other today?

    Sad.

    cresthill
    cresthill
    12 years ago

    Deport all those arrested back to the real Warsaw. Or make them kiss the Israeli flag representing the country they desecrate.

    lostinCA
    lostinCA
    12 years ago

    This is the unvarnished truth about the situation. 100 yrs ago a group called kollel poilin built some houses and called it batei warsaw. it was supposed to be for people who immigrated to EY from poland. At the time (turkish rule) most new constuction in EY were built using the “shlisel gelt” system. The kollel retains ownership on the homes, but the people living there cannot be thrown out as long as someone from the original dwellers is still living there. This batei warsaw is worth millions due to location & the general housing shortage in Yerushalayim. The apts themselves are tiny and dilapidated since the kollel has nothing to gain from upkeep.

    The gerer chassidim very deviously and slowly got some members on the board of the kollel and now reached a majority. They are trying to now get everyone out so they can sell it or demolish it and build new modern apartments. The current tenants are raising a hue and cry against this, and every so often both sides get violent. It’s hard to sympathize with them, since many of them are neturei karta types or worse. It’s in the court system, and no BD will touch it with a 10 ft pole.

    The-Macher
    The-Macher
    12 years ago

    The Lev Simcha did NOT “abandon” Yerushalayim. He was a sensible man, who became Rebbe after a successful career in business, and who did not want to see his followers become impoverished due to the pressures of buying overpriced apartments in Yerushalayim. He also instituted the chassune takanos and fake fur shpodeks to keep expenses down.

    In addition, like the Lubavitcher Rebbe, with whom he was quite friendly, he saw the value of Chassidim moving to areas where there were no Torah communities and spreading Torah among secular Israelis. The first Gerrers in Arad, Ashdod etc were good neighbors, and especially because Gerrers do serve at least abridged service in the IDF, they were a known entity to local residents.

    Sadly, just as is the case with other communities as of late, Ger has fallen a few notches and hooligans are spoiling its good name. Money is behind it; they want Batei Varsha, the shul in Arad etc because there is money to be made with all of this.

    Until now, Ger rarely started fights, although they always had the reputation of not shying away from one if provoked. This craziness is something new, and it seems as if the present Rebbe cannot stop it.

    12 years ago

    Don’t understand the whole fight shouldn’t the residents all vote for who is in charge majorty wins? have a fair and free election?after all they live there? can they build new modern apartments in a way that will add apartments and alvieate the housing shortage? then why not?

    12 years ago

    Is it a wonder that the Jewish people are suffering ?