Mazuz urged to enforce Tisha B'Av ban on restaurants

The pictures in tomorrow's paper will probably highlight, once again, the cultural gap between a grieving Jerusalem and an everyday Aviv; between the Western Wall in the capital and the bustling cafes of Israel's urban center.

On the eve of the day of mourning commemorating the destruction of the Temple, the Legal Forum for the Land of Israel sent an urgent letter to Attorney General Menachem Mazuz urging him to strictly enforce the law prohibiting restaurants and places of entertainment from operating on the day, and levying a NIS 2,600 ($690) fine on those who break the law.

"In previous years we have repeatedly witnessed public violations of Tisha B'Av… people sitting in restaurants and cafes, showing contempt for the national day of mourning and undermining the State of Israel's Jewish character and deep religious sentiments," said the letter.

"Past experience has taught us that unfortunately some local councils, including some of Israel's most central cities, chose not to enforce the law and trampled on it," the letter added. "We therefore urgently beseech you to instruct local councils and law enforcement branches to protect and enforce the law."

The Forum's Director General Nachi Eyal told Ynet: "A dangerous tradition has emerged here of businesses disregarding the law. I sincerely hope that Mazuz, as the person in charge of the law enforcement system in Israel, will put an end to this."