TEL AVIV - Cellular phones that do not allow Internet access will be hitting the local ultra-Orthodox market soon.
The new initiative aims to circumvent a recent call by leading rabbis opposed to the use of cellular phones. Rabbis were particularly concerned that users would use the devices to surf the Internet and subsequently be exposed to “improper” materials.
The rabbis’ ruling calls on yeshiva students caught with a cell phone to be immediately expelled.
An ultra-Orthodox businessman has already purchased 20,000 cell phones and is planning to market them in the community. Meanwhile, cellular provider Mirs is said to be in final stages of negotiation with rabbis in a bid to get their blessing for a “kosher” device.
Ultra-orthodox newspapers have refrained from carrying cell phone advertisements for the past four months, until agreements are reached on the “kosher” phones.
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