Overview
- The Jerusalem Municipality withdrew planned funding after the women’s section was eliminated and the concert was restricted to men.
- Producer VMP confirmed the Naftali Kempeh show at Binyanei HaUma will not go forward and said all purchasers will receive refunds.
- Organizers cited letters from leading Litvish rabbis, including Dov Lando and Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who oppose mixed-gender music events even with separation.
- They reported intense criticism, legal threats, and claims of coordinated plans by women to buy tickets to disrupt the performance.
- Organizers also noted the city revoked its usual “Yerushalmi discount,” while a separate large concert at the Yerushalayim Arena remains scheduled.