"We will not negotiate with terrorists"

That is a common refrain among many western governments. We will not negotiate with terrorists.

Of course, they almost always do. Just not publicly. They often don't really have a choice.

It is a bit more unusual when such a refrain comes from a private business.

The Ohr HaChayim bookstore in Geula has been targeted by the thugs (they call themselves the sikrikim). They have been incessantly attacking the store, breaking windows, damaging merchandise, gluing shut the locks and harassing customers and the store owner. This has been going on for a long time. Ohr HaChayim is not the only store in Geula - Mea Shearim that has been attacked. Others have as well, some caved and closed, some did not.

This group of thugs has been trying to get Ohr HaChayim to agree to commit to a series of terms. Such an agreement would bring quiet to the store. Ohr haChayim has been refusing to agree, saying they will not negotiate with terrorists.

There might have been a breakthrough this week. The thugs claim, with the backing of the Eida (if they ever deny their association with the thugs this proves that denial is a lie and just used when convenient), that the owner of Ohr HaChayim has signed the agreement. His commitment says that he agrees to four conditions:

1. he will hang a sign in the storefront saying people should be dressed modestly when entering the store.
2. he will have a mashgiach from their committee of "purity of the camp" to oversee the books sold in the store (again, sounds like another protection racket).
3. a sign will be hung in the store saying it is not a library
4. He will actively discourage the yeshiva bochurim from hanging around and reading books, turning the store into a hangout and meeting place of sorts