PM Netanyahu
Photo: Kobi Gideon/GPO
Haredi MKs urge PM to stop Shabbat train work
Ultra-Orthodox MKs ask Netanyahu to put brakes on infrastructural works on train lines set to take place this Shabbat and next, claiming that permitting it to proceed would constitute a violation of coalition agreements to 'preserve Shabbat in the public domain.'
Haredi members of the Knesset urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday evening not to allow infrastructure work to take place on train lines in Israel scheduled to begin this Shabbat, arguing that to sanction it would constitute a clear violation of the coalition agreement.
In a letter written by Shas MKs Yoav Ben Tzur and Michael Malchieli, and United Torah Judaism MKs Yisrael Eichler and Uri Maklev, Netanyahu was warned of the mounting frustration over state-sanctioned work on the raliways during Shabbat.
“This Shabbat and next Shabbat Israel Railways in planning to carry out infrastructural work under the auspices of the Transportation Ministry and with the support of the Ministry of Labor, in contravention of agreements and promises to preserve the status quo and observe Shabbat in the public domain,” the MKs wrote.
PM Netanyahu (Photo: Kobi Gideon)
“The government's declared and agreed policy is to sanctify Shabbat as a supreme value and to prevent Shabbat from becoming a regular day. We appeal to you and virtue of your position as someone who stands at the helm of the government to demand the implementation of the government’s agreed upon policy,” the letter continued. “It is for you to instruct that work be stopped completely on Shabbat.
“We would like to make clear that under no circumstances will we lend a hand to any permit that desecrates Shabbat, nor to infrastructure and maintenance work that is supposed to be conducted on Shabbat time and again under the auspices of government ministries in violation of government policy and which destroys the holy Shabbat and causes damage to the fundamental bedrock of the Jewish people.”
On Friday morning, Herzliya train station was closed down for work to commence on the fast-train to Jerusalem and to expand its tracks. As a result of the expected work, numerous changes have been made to north-south line operations for the next nine days.
Photo: Yariv Katz
With heavy disruption expected, passengers will be offered an alternative mode of transport, including free shuttles to Ben-Gurion Airport. In addition, the number of buses will be increased in the areas affected. Train activity will resume as normal on August 27 at 4am.
The work is currently on course to go ahead on Shabbat unless ultra-Orthodox pressure manages to stop it is its tracks.
Indeed, it would not be the first time that Haredi politicians have threatened to go the distance and derail the coalition in protest over work conducted on the trains on Shabbat.
As recently as last June, a meeting of ministers with ultra-Orthodox faction leaders resulted in the cancellation of infrastructure work planned for Israel Railways in the South on Shabbat.
