The raid came about an hour after the Sabbath had ended but the Synagogue had not been emptied since at Toldes Ah'haron the Rebbe's tish is attended by the entire Hassidic community and many visitors. More than 1500 adults and 500 children under the age of thirteen were present in the large hall. As the Rebbe finished speaking and began the prayers, tear gas was fired by zionist police into the synagogue filled with worshippers and children. Worshippers said they did not hear the police call from loudspeakers outside ordering them to leave the building. Gas filled the hall and the children began to faint.
In an article published in the Jerusalem Post, Wednesday March 11, 1981, page 10, the writer stated: "The timing and nature of the raid reflects, in my opinion, a grievous error in police judgment."
The raid on the Synagogue is believed to be connected
with a confrontation with the zionist police the
prior week when demonstrators had opposed the
desecration of the Jewish Sabbath at the Kivesh
Ramot Highway between the city of Jerusalem and
the new area of Ramot. View
pictures from the confrontation at Kivesh Ramot.
