While world counts – Israel keeps Shabbat
Following MKs' appeal, for first time in 40 years, ministers Yishai, Ezra order National Reserves Authority cancel international annual water bird count this weekend for fear of desecrating Shabbat. Authority's supervisors call it 'religious coercion'
Everyone will be counting, except Israel. Whoever thought nature and politics go together, will surely be disappointed to hear that this month, for the first time in 40 years, Israel will not participate in the international water bird parade on the date it will be celebrated by the northern hemisphere – because Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Eli Yishai (Shas) demanded that it not be held on Shabbat.
The Nature Reserves and National Parks Authority has held the parade in Israel yearly since 1965.
Every January, on the middle weekend of the month, the count takes place in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. With that, while worldwide it is held on Saturday and Sunday, in Israel it is held on Friday and Saturday.
Water birds. Will not be counted. (Photo: Kakal)
However, despite this consideration of the religious people taking part in the count, a number of MKs, including MK Arieh Eldad, MK Gideon Sa'ar, chairman of the Likud faction, and MK Uri Ariel have appealed to Yishai with a demand that the even be canceled for fear of desecrating Shabbat.
Yishai turned to Environment Minister Gideon Ezra and informed him that he could not approve of work of The Nature Reserves and National Parks Authority on Saturdays.
According to the National Labor Law, there is the possibility of giving work permits on Saturdays if there is no other choice, and according to criteria set by the law.
The authority to give out such permits belongs to the Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry and Shas reported that Minister Yishai claimed that "there is no necessity to desecrate Shabbat for such an event."
Shas spokesman Roee Lahmanovitch added: "Shabbat is not a trading chip, it's as simple as that, and if we are talking about a leisure event, there is no need to have it on Saturday."
Environment Minister Gideon Ezra's advisor, Ofer Kol said: "Minister Gideon Ezra has advised the authority not to have the count during the coming Shabbat until his inquiry.
MK Yakov Margi, the Shas party's secretary explained the decision: "When there is a partnership, it must be a full partnership. It feels as though the events organized by the Nature Reserves and National Parks Authority belong only to a certain part of the society."
Margi agreed that the ultra-Orthodox public's educational curriculum focuses on Torah studies and that most activities which are not included under this definition are considered a waste of time.
Nonetheless he feels the authority should hold such events during the week "so that all of Israel's people can participate. Then people wonder why environmental awareness is not developed with the haredi public."
'Decision is religious coercion'
Ohed Hazofe, who is responsible for the bird watching explained that "almost half of those participating in the event, I believe over 100 people, are citizens who are fans of bird watching. These people cannot arrive during the work week, but only on the weekend."
"Furthermore, many of them are religious, so we are sure to allocate areas for bird counting near their homes on Fridays, so that they can participate and make it back home before the Shabbat begins."
"The count cannot be done in the middle of the week, since the volunteers won't arrive, and we can't split the two counting days, since then it cannot be done accurately," he pointed out.
Other supervisors in the authority went so far as to call the decision "religious coercion and death to the count."
"Those who carry out the count are many volunteers, who are fond of bird watching, and who nobody forces to come. If the count compelled them to take a day off, I am not sure they will continue to show up," said a supervisor from the north.
The Nature Reserves and National Parks Authority's spokesman, Moshe Gabai seemed to be less moved by the decision. According to him, the decision was made in order to satisfy the public.
"Some people are bothered that the count takes place on Saturday's, so we have decided to change the dates. It is just a matter of re-organization," Gabai explained.
On the authority's website, the invitation for the bird count taking place on Friday and Saturday is still up, and clearly states that: "The count will be carried out by traditional counters on Friday, 1.12.07 on the Emek Yizrael and Emek Bet Shaan waterfronts."
Neta Sela contributed to the report.
