Pre-Shabbos Sirens Subject of Tel Aviv Lawsuit

YERUSHALAYIM
The Akirov towers seen in Tel Aviv. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

It’s become customary in many communities in Israel to welcome Shabbos with music, or with a siren that is sounded several minutes before candle-lighting time. As far as Tel Aviv Deputy Mayor – and the head of the far-left Meretz faction in the city – Meital Lehavi is concerned, those songs and sirens don’t belong in her city. And she has filed a lawsuit to force the shuls that are doing so to stop.

“In recent years, each weekend we are ‘treated’ to loud music and sirens on Fridays emanating from synagogues in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, clearly disturbing the peace and violating rules against loud noises,” Lehavi wrote in a social media post. “After receiving many complaints, I have asked police to look into this, and they are prepared to act. But they need more information. I would like people to supply information on the locations of where these violations are taking place, including addresses. Please keep me informed,” she added.

Channel 20 reported that police told Lehavi that an investigation would be opened into the matter. According to noise reduction laws, sounding music or sirens in public at any time of day in excess of 80 decibels is illegal. Police said that they needed evidence that the music or sirens were 80 decibels or more.

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