Israel: Flick Fight Fans Flames

“Shabbes! Shabbes! ((Sabbath! Sabbath!))” shouted the ultra-Orthodox demonstrators in Jerusalem. Their complaint: that movies are being shown in the holy city on Friday night, in desecration of the Jewish Sabbath, which begins at sundown. The marchers staged a peaceful rally at the Western Wall early last week, but come Friday dozens clashed with police. Authorities were forced to use tear gas and water cannons to break up the protests.

Film promoters get around a law prohibiting the shows by billing their fare as “cultural events,” often offering a lecture as well. Two recent “cultural events”: Body Heat and Little Shop of Horrors. How does Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek, 76, think the matter should be resolved? “The answer,” says the exasperated Kollek, “is that I want to go to paradise, and quickly.” But, he adds, “we’re not going to allow the protesters to dictate the terms here.”