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Orthodox Israeli charged for insulting woman
An orthodox Jew was charged with sexual harassment after a young Israeli woman soldier was verbally abused for refusing to sit at the back of a bus.
Shlomo Fuchs, a 44-year-old father, was charged for
allegedly insulting the soldier several times, including
calling her a "whore," for refusing demands to sit on the rear
benches of the vehicle.
"The increasing phenomenon of discrimination against
women endangers democratic society," a police court hearing at
which the suspect was charged was told.
The accused was granted bail of 20,000 shekels (4,000
euros) until his case is heard, but he was unable to pay and
was remanded in custody.
On Tuesday night, some 3,000 Israelis gathered at Beit
Shemesh west of Jerusalem to protest against ultra-Orthodox
extremists there whose campaign for gender segregation has
erupted into verbal and physical abuse against women.
The majority of the town`s residents are religious Jews,
among them a large and growing ultra-Orthodox community.
Activists have posted signs in their neighbourhood
instructing women to dress "modestly" in long sleeves and
calf-length skirts.
Israeli public radio reported that Attorney General
Yehuda Weinstein set up a team on Thursday whose remit is to
report back to the government with recommendations on stamping
out the phenomenon.
PTI