It looks like the war in Mea Shearim between Gur and other haredim against the sikrikim/thugs might be the straw that has broken the camels back. It seems to have really brought the issue of the sikrikim/thugs and the violence they perpetrate and pressure they use to force their way on society to the forefront. For a few days now it has been in the news over and over again, with different ministers and members of knesset, along with other public figures, all from both general society and from the haredi community commenting on the need to clamp down on the sikrikim/thugs.

The latest to weigh in on the issue is MK Amnon Cohen from SHAS. Cohen is the head of the Committee of the Interior and Environment Protection in the Knesset. I don't know what that committee deals with or why he might have influence in this matter, but Cohen said he plans to use all his power and authority to put an end to this situation and deal with the sikrikim..

MK Amnon Cohen said that MKs have come to him about being attacked by sikrikim/thugs, but the main people complaining are regular citizens, claiming the police don't seriously deal with the issue. Cohen said he would meet with the chief of police about this matter, along with the relevant legal authorities about putting an end to this. Cohen added that an old man called him up saying he no longer goes to the doctor because the bus line sno longer run through his neighborhood (to remind you, the thugs attacked Egged buses a number of times causing a lot of damage, and Egged eventually canceled all routes going through Mea Shearim. When they tried to bring the bus lines back, they were again attacked).

Relating to the complaint that the police haven't done enough, Cohen says if necessary he will help the police in every way possible to find the need funds and allocate them properly. Cohen said that "in the Knesset we only make the laws. if the police cannot deal with the problem, if necessary we will make them illegal or arrest them for their entire lives. In this fight, all means are kosher."

It has also been reported that a new authority is being put together to deal with the sikrikim situation. The initiative is within the haredi community and is because people have finally had enough of the sikrikim giving all haredi judaism a bad name, with the recent increase in violence and the loud headlines about them.

This authority will consist of members from the central hassidic groups, such as Gur, Toldos Ahron, and Toldos Avraham Yitzchak, along with a member from the Eida itself, and also a local Mea Shearim representative.

While some are skeptical that such an authority will actually be able to have any success, considering the police already have been failures at quelling the sikrikims violence, I see it as positive that finally people have had enough and are willing to try new things. Even if this group is not actually successful, perhaps they will spur the police to take more action, as they see the sikrikim affecting the lives of normal citizens. And, with perhaps increased pressure from MK Amnon Cohen, and from other MKs who have recently spoken about it, maybe finally they will work seriously to putting an end to it.