Netanyahu signed off on Shabbat train work months ago
The prime minister, who clashed with Transportation Minister Katz and halted all railway work on the weekend due to ultra-Orthodox objections, had already approved that very work when acting as the economy minister in November 2015.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who came out against Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz for pushing to continue train work on Saturday, has approved that very work when he was acting economy minister, Yedioth Ahronoth has learned.
The dispute over working on Shabbat actually began in September 2015, when then-minister of economy Aryeh Deri (Shas) refused to authorize Israel Railways to carry out construction work on the holy day of rest.
The train company appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, but then, two months later, Deri resigned over his objection to the gas deal. Netanyahu stepped in as minister, removing Deri's objection to the railway work and allowing it to proceed on Saturdays.
Currently, the argument over allowing train work on Shabbat is focused on whether it falls under Halachic, life-saving action, or work that can be postponed for a work day.
After Netanyahu’s decision on Friday to cancel all weekend train work five minutes before Shabbat, the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement saying that Netanyahu reached this decision based on “conflicting reports from the Transportation Ministry” over the necessity of working on Shabbat.
The PMO has yet to respond to Ynet over this discrepancy.
Polls find: Public blames PM for crisis
Several polls weighed in on the current dispute. A poll commissioned by Channel 2 found that 49 percent of Israelis thought Netanyahu is to blame for the current dispute, with 14 percent finding Katz at fault and 21 percent finding them both responsible.
Meanwhile, 63 percent disagreed with Netanyahu's decision to halt work on Saturday and 25 percent were in favor.
When asked whether the prime minister should fire the transportation minister, something that has reportedly been on Netanyahu's mind, 64 percent were against dismissing Katz, while 17 percent thought the minister should be fired.
A second poll, commissioned by Israel Radio, found that 82 percent thought Netanyahu should not fire Katz, while 18 percent said Katz should be fired.
Meanwhile, 43 percent said the prime minister was to blame for the crisis, 25 percent put the blame on the ultra-Orthodox MKs and 19 percent on Katz.
Leftist party Meretz petitioned the High Court of Justice on Friday against Netanyahu’s order to halt all train work on Saturday, claiming that the order was “not under his authority.”
Specifically, the petition stated that only Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz can instruct the Israel Railways to stop working.
Those close to Netanyahu claimed the move “was made with Katz’s knowledge and approval, so there is no issue regarding authority.” This despite the very recent clashes between Katz and Netanyahu over the matter.
