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Jews attacking Jews in the holy city of Jerusalem

Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:41 PM
Filed Under:

By Paul Goldman, NBC News Producer

TEL AVIV – The arrest of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish woman accused of starving her 3-year-old son has sparked three days of violent clashes in Jerusalem between religious and secular Jews.

Authorities allege that the mentally ill woman has been starving her son for several years.

On Thursday, a photo on the front page of Yediot Ahronot, a popular daily, showed a horrific photo of the emaciated boy sitting on a hospital bed clearly suffering from malnutrition. Authorities said they have video showing the mother repeatedly disconnecting her son from a feeding tube in the hospital. 

But her arrest has outraged members of the ultra-Orthodox community who resent outside interference in their affairs.  For the last three days protesters have clashed with police, throwing rocks at them and burning trash cans. At least 28 demonstrators have been arrested.

VIDEO: Protesters clash with police in Jerusalem

The incident has laid bare the very delicate relationship between the insular ultra-Orthodox community and the city’s more secular population.

The ultra-Orthodox community views the Israeli authorities with a great deal of mistrust; they think they use brutal tactics (police used water cannons on rioters on Thursday), are uncompromising and oppose any perceived interference from them in their religious life.

By arresting the mother, authorities touched on what is viewed by the ultra-Orthodox community as its most sacred institution: the family.  By interfering in an ultra-Orthodox family’s private affairs, the authorities crossed a line – which has brought hundreds onto the streets.

"In this story of the mother, they really want to extinct us. To touch us in the Holy of Holiness, our children, so we won’t bring more children to the world," one demonstrator, Yoel, told Haaretz newspaper.

Another demonstrator shouted at the police and called them "Nazis."

Jews accusing other Jews in the holy city of Jerusalem.

This mistrust has led Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat to punish the two neighborhoods where the riots took place by banning garbage collection and closing government offices until further notice.

Still, many questions remain unanswered. Why would the mother starve her own child? Why was the father not arrested? The woman has five children, have the other children in the family been abused as well?

Meantime, the mother is in police custody and appeared in court Thursday, hiding her face with a prayer book. She said the child is sick, but that she is not responsible for his condition. Doctors say the boy is doing well and is gaining weight.

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Comments

This is a total cover up what the doctors have done to the child. This is not the first time by done by the Zionist Government.

John (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:00 PM)

Search net for "mother starved child." You will find many entries

Harold A. Maio (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:01 PM)

How freaking disgusting.  These people actually believe it is within their rights to starve children!!

Shaun,JC,kansas (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:45 PM)

Israeli press reported the mother was diagnosed with Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, a psychiatric disorder.  

It should be noted that these aren't the 'religious' population of Jerusalem - these are extreme militant ultrareligious fanatics, whom have expressed interest in destroying Israel since it postpones the arrival of the Messiah, in their view.

These are the same who support terrorism against Zionist jews worldwide and whom have sent delegates to Iran to meet with Ahmadinejad and express support in his agenda for destroying Israel.

They view the Israeli government as invading enemies and do not consider any Israelis as Jews, including religious jews of most denominations.

They do not speak Hebrew amongst themselves since they consider that descration - they use Yiddish instead.

In summary, the article does not faithfully convey the fact that these are local cults / terrorists which do not respect the law, hence police using waterhoses is actually rather minimalist.  

If this goes on police will be firing tear gas and stun grenades, which is just about what these lawless bandits are asking for.

Ron R., Israel (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:53 PM)

I cant beleive that it is permissible for mothers to starve children.  Is there something else to this story.  If there is not, then it shows to me that religion of any stripe has much to be desired.  So what is the difference between these Hasids and the Taliban?

Ivan Gur-Arie (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:58 PM)

I can't imagine if authorities sit down with her rabbi they couldn't come to a conclusion about what is going on. She is clearly harming the boy and no person of God would argue that she should be allowed to continue no matter the religion.  

Mattew (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:59 PM)

It appears the the ultraconservative Jews have cloaked themselves with same jihadic nonsense that Islam has become for some.  Religion without reason is a declining point for those of faith.

Jason Abdon, Savannah, Georgia (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 4:28 PM)

Who cares? The do this to the Palestinians every day!

Alan Dumbashitz, Cambridge, Ma (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 4:29 PM)

This another reason to ban religion world wide. pray in private and obey the law of the land not the law of some imaginary white bearded sadist.

Jack riesch (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 4:38 PM)

Thanks for the brief (but excellent coverage) of a timely issue. Nothing quite like the ultra-Orthodox Jewish Community in Israel getting into it with the "secularists."  It is always ironic that the "Ultras" have traditionally been against the establishment of the State of Israel (way before 1948), because they claim it cannot exist until the Messiah sets it up.  And yet they live under the protection of the IDF simply because they are Jews.  Even more ironic is that some of these ultra-Orthodox were represented at the Holocaust denial conference hosted a while back in Iran by MR. A.  What a world we live in.  

With that said, are all these dudes in their outfits (designed from 18th Century Polish court dress?) really what the founders of Israel had in mind? The outcome of this case will be interesting indeed.  

Ray Manhattan, Kansas (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 4:40 PM)

Why is this news? It has no implications for us. It didn't happen in America. Jews killing Jews is not new.  Jews killing gentiles - even Americans - is not new.  I don't get it.

RM, WASHINGTON, DC (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 4:55 PM)

Americans attacking Americans in the holy city of New Jersey? Can't report without polarizing?
Don't they have laws pertaining to child abuse in Israel? Charge the woman for children's sake and enough already with all this religious BS. All religions are evil. End of story

LaserKut (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 4:57 PM)

If the mother was starving the kid then why in God's name was she allowed to visit him in the hospital? And how could she possibly disconnect the feeding tube more than once? The very first time she did this as observed on a video camera, she should have been arrested! This whole scenario makes no sense.

Paul A Trouve, Montague, NJ (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 5:02 PM)

Only an idiot would use religion to defend the starving of a child!

Matt, Sacramento,CA (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 5:04 PM)

for people who don't trust the government, they apparently have no qualms about taking government handouts so they don't have a pesky job interfering with religious studies.

fundamentalists are crazy no matter the religion.

stephanie, washington dc (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 5:18 PM)

It is sad when a mentally ill ultra orthodox woman starves her child. It is even worse when the ultra orthodox community becomes outraged because of interference. Where were the orthodox rabbis and leaders while the boy was being starved. As a Jew and a human being I am outraged by the actions of the ultra orthodox.  

Norm Redlich, Woodland Hills, California (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 5:20 PM)

Mental illness strikes who it pleases, be it men, women, young, old, Christian, Jew or Muslim.

May this woman get help, and may her community realize that protecting her emaciated child is in the family's best interests, until her illness is resolved, and she can better mother again.

Ivan (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 5:25 PM)

It's to understand a group of people who object to the government saving the life of child.If keeping the government out of there affaires is that important then the ultra-Othrodox community should have interveaned on the childs befalf.I don't know what the woman was praying about court ,but she shold have been prayed for good sence.

David Newell,Oswego ,Illinois (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 6:12 PM)

There is a hypocritical double standard at work here. The media will magnify disputes like this between a group of Jews and the government of Israel in order to discredit both parties. But during the previous week the PA which the media labels as the moderate Arabs and promotes as the peace-makers, made an announcement that the media all but ignored. The PA declared that they don't want peace with Israel, but desire the end of Israel. And there was barely a peep from the press. In the absence of WWIII, Jews squabbling is the front-page headline grabber. But the Arabs calling for genocide and the annihilation of Israel is on the back page of the classified section. Whatever happened to integrity?

Douglas Miller, Detroit, Michigan (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 6:15 PM)

This is predicted in the Holy Scriptures, to happen just before the coming of their Messiah.

Anonymous (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 6:16 PM)

This battle is symbolic of the war between the
religious fanatics and moderate religious/secular
persons around the world. I draw the line of what is considered a 'religion' when it condones harm to its own people or family members. These fanatics are only concerned with an intrusion upon their world, but have none for the boy? This is where religion morphs into something else, something the world doesn't need.

CBF (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 6:26 PM)

One more example of religious bigotry when the beliefs in superstitious overwhelm the common sense and even respect for life.

Andrew Lukos, Seattle (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 6:43 PM)

"In this story of the mother, they really want to extinct us. To touch us in the Holy of Holiness, our children, so we won’t bring more children to the world," How can you say this when the child was starved by the mother, even to the point of removing feeding tubes?  How is this preserving your family and what is the sense of bringing more children into the world if you are gong tostarvfe the ones you have?  You cannot be what you claim to be.  To call fellow Jews "Nazis" is among the most abominable things you can do.  Think rationally about this whole situation and you will understand that you Ultra-Conservatives have failed your own.  PLEASE do not give the rest of the world any more reasons to attack you.  You know they only need the smallest particle to justify a completely anti-Zionist movement.  Howwould this mother answer to your rfeligious leadership if the child had died and the authorities had not stepped in?  Far be it for me to justify government intervention in our personal lives, but this child should have been protected by those who protest today.

Rev. Fred Vazquez Oates, SC (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 6:45 PM)

This article is whacked, this has nothing to do with religion or the Jewish culture. This is a pure case of an abusive mother and the authorities had every right to intervent. This family needs to have all their childrem removed, she and the husband are mentally ill.

Ben, Sahuarita. AZ (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 6:45 PM)

I will forever be fathomed how people use religion as an excuse to harm others, whatever or whomever you believe in comes from a spirit of love and compassion-but beyond that we do have a ill child here who was brought in to this world, and than treated inhumanely...should'nt that be the real injustice here- It's pointless to cause havoc and chaos- hate will never heal this world-  

Victoria M. PHX AZ (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 7:37 PM)

Where were the men of her family while she was keeping food from the boy?  Didn't they notice this - has she done this to any of her other children?  She may be suffering from Munchausen-by-proxy, where she hurts the child to get attention for herself.  The ultra-religious are not immune from mental illness.   It sounds like the situation has been politicized in the ongoing war between secular and religious Jews in Israel. If the authorities have video of the mother disconnecting the feeding tubes, it should've been shown to the child's father and rabbi for correction rather than arresting her. There were better ways of handling this.

Carole Clarke (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 7:43 PM)

Fundamentalists, be they Jews, Moslems, Christians or whatever, are ALL dangerous people. They hew to a very narrow, absolutist view of the world. They hide behind misguided beliefs as their right and will not allow any interference. They are arrogant in their interpretation of "Truth" believing they have the market cornered on it. Sad.

TPS (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 7:48 PM)

I can't even wrap my mind around this story.  What a horribly skewed sense of priorities this religious sect has.  It feels as if they think women and children are objects of lesser value and therefore unworthy of outside interference.  Would they as a community intercede with the family if they believed abuse was going on or would they allow the child to die?

bmarie (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 8:00 PM)

'ultra-Orthodox' - Why use euphemisms? Call a fanatic a fanatic.

It's sad how much the world suffers because of cruelty, ignorance, and hate in the guise of religion. Whether they call themselves muslim, jewish or christian, it's all the same.

A human, Planet Earth (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 8:07 PM)

A nuts a nut; I don't care what your cult is...  If you don't like the word cult; look it up.
All these people do is profess their faith, and tell other Jews how they should live; and of course collect welfare for the last thousand years.  Cut off their funds and threaten to put them to work, and they'll quiet down.

tom jake schaumburg Il (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 8:10 PM)

I am an ultra orthodox Jew in NY and would like to take the opportunity to personally apologize to the etire world for the behavior of the Jews in Israel.  Whether or not the allegations are true (this story is a couple of days old already, the doctor's say she has Minchausen and is doing this for attention, but in Israel this group of Jews claims the mother is completely innocent, the child is sick and doctors don't know why, (all the other children in the family are fine) but they(secular doctors) are prejudiced against these types of orthodox Jews and fabricated the story) THEY SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEHAVED THIS WAY!  In is completely unnacceptable to riot in the streets, burn people's garbage cans which do not belong to them so they are essentially stealing by destroying them, in addition to making the air quality horrible for the people who live in the area and everything reeks of smoke for days afterwards.  UNACCEPTABLE not even mentioning the entire world looks at them and says, Oh, so this is how Jews behave...  Absolutely unacceptable, and I know that most Orthodox and Ultra Orthodox American Jews, including many of the people who live where they are rioting has spoken against this, and I sincerely hope they come to the realization that how they are behaving is absolutley wrong and stop.

NY Jew (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 8:21 PM)

From the YeshivaWorld.com website:
The Rosh yeshiva (Head Rabbi) of the Mir Yerushalayim,(Jewish School for men college age) Hagon Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel Shlita, has written a letter forbidding any “Bnei Yeshiva”(the bots learning in such schools) from attending any Hafganos (protests) in Yerushalayim(Jerusalem).

The letter which was hung up in the Yeshiva today, is written in his own handwriting - a move which is very rare for the Rosh Yeshiva Shlita, who has not written a letter in many years due to an illness R”L.

The short 4-line letter is addressed to all Bnei Hayeshiva, and forbids anyone from participating in any demonstrations in any neighborhood - no exceptions

He is a very imprtant respected elder and his word should be law.  If they disobey this direct order, they have used their free will incorrectly.q

NY Jew (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 8:34 PM)

Why did the newspaper show the picture of the boy? For one thing, that is an invasion of his privacy, and for another thing, the mother is obviously disturbed, why are all these people angry over one person?
I am confused...

Raven, Portland ME (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 8:47 PM)

I am a conservative Jewish woman in the U.S. and have relatives in Baltimore, MD that are ultra orthodox.  Laws are passed for the benefit of all.  I realize that ultra orthodox in the US is perhaps not the same as in Israel; however, no one has the right to starve a child and that person should be punished accordingly.  You cannot hide behind your religion to make a sick act correct.

Maxene Block (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:21 PM)

There is a book called "A child called 'It'" which is the account of the horrors suffered by the author at the hands of his psychotic mother. May God bring the truth to light, and give wisdom and restraint to all.

Levi, Pasco, Washington (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:21 PM)

Fanatics are fanatics.  There is by definition a disconect from logic and sane behavior.  Whether they are soccer fans, religious zealots or have some other type of fixation doesn't matter.  They have no rspect for law or the rights of others, and care only about their own fanaticism.  These so called untra orthodox Jews violate the very laws they clame to embrace.  I am a Jew who has no problem balancing my faith and secular life.  The ultra orthodox are also ultra hypocrits.  I have no sympathy for them.

Brad Seidel Waltham, MA (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:30 PM)

i never have a very good impression about Jewish peoples. mainly becuase the think they are victim of WW2, so is rest the world on WW2.
they use all kinds of excuse to do to attck other peoples....
at the end, it only hurt your own.
when will Jewish people learn it

David Toronto Canada (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:43 PM)

the orthodox jews  live in a tradition that is as outdated as they are, they look stupid with their  long hair always dressed in black, wake up,  we live in the 21st century,no wonder so may jewish woman and men are intermixing with other faiths,in the generations to come if they dont start making changes  their religion will become a thing in the past.

cyrusvanhelsing (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:51 PM)

I can understand that the situation is difficult, but how can anyone condone a mother starving her child?

Gabriella. Baltimore, MD (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:06 PM)

Mental illness knows no bounds, no religion, no race. Children must be protected. Obviously, the Orthodox community did not help this child. If the Orthodox knew and did nothing they were wrong. G-d wants his children protected. All of us are responsible to watch out for all children.

Diane Allen, Chicago, IL (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:30 PM)

Is this the way rational intelligent people solve a problem??? Israels enemies will feed and flourish on this disgraceful display. I am at a loss as to why this mother was allowed to disconnect her childs feeding tube. I am also at a loss as to why there has been such a violent reaction to efforts intended to save his life? It is clear to me that the Ultra Orthodox community wants to live completely isolated from the rest of the world and do whatever it wishes without question from anyone... including other Israeli Jews but does that include infanticide?

Margaret Heekin (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:30 PM)

That woman is sick, starving her child like that. And those orthodox jews are despicable, rioting because the mother got in trouble for nearly killing her child? That's not interference, it's humanity! The fact that they can't see that says very bad things about them.

mjk (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:38 PM)

The accused is guilty and should be punished according to Jewish Law.  The Bible speaks of this coming to past before the End!

Ben Ross (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:54 PM)

Extremism in any religion keeps proving itself at odds with the modern world and modern values.  Child abuse only breeds more extremism and we should all be thankful the state stepped in and exposed that in todays world, starving your child is not acceptable.

Miami, Fl (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:55 PM)

So many years ago, Solomon knew that the welfare of the child was paramount. Perhaps the rebbes need to remember that and not be so eager to draw a bead on themselves as not loving this little boy, for whatever reason.

Brenda, Washington DC (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 11:22 PM)

In many ways, these ultra-orthodox are not much different than fanatic muslims. they insist on living in the 16th century, hold women as 2nd class citizens and equate them 1 grade above cattle, their life is completely guided by a mythical book that is taken as reality, breed like mice, (except value life in oppositon to Muslims who cherish death), have no concept of the 21st century progress, indoctrinate the males of the family in biblical gibberish from the time they can read; (vs the madras where they teach koran & nothing else); their garb is that of antiquity and fail to blend with modern life, - and they really have no use for the state of Isreal in maintaining, defending or supporting her. Oh yeah, they despise secular Jews!

Sy Sibi (Sent Friday, July 17, 2009 1:34 AM)

This is a very sad day for all of Israel, to be fighting amongst ourselves when we have so many outside enemies. To be calling each other the names of the people who tried to wipe out all Jews. This saddens my heart.

Issac M, Tel Aviv (Sent Friday, July 17, 2009 1:45 AM)

I think the woman must undergo a mental test. Sorry that her community seems to back her actions, may be there is a msunderstanding but that does not mean the police is inteferring.

Malakal (Sent Friday, July 17, 2009 2:25 AM)

Mistreatment of children is not a private affair in any religion, Jewish or otherwize

Gerald Sobel (Sent Friday, July 17, 2009 2:51 AM)

Wow I just can't see how people willingly hurt children. The second thing avout this that disturbs me is Israeli police and troops are quick to use live ammo on Palestinian youth throwing rocks but not Jews.

Bureau 24, Las Vegas, Nevada (Sent Friday, July 17, 2009 2:54 AM)



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