Buses running on Shabat is NOT anti-religious. No one is going to force anyone to ride the bus on Shabat, but the religious are quick to force their beliefs on everyone. I don't know what part of Tel Aviv he talking about when he says "silent Tel Aviv", but it's not near where I live.

If no one is happy, then that means they are both not getting their IDEAL way. This is the first time I think the status quo BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER to a consensus rather then dividing people. Shakad, kola kvod, there should be more "out of the box" opinions like yours.

I read Ron Huldai's article this morning, and after spending 4 years in Israel was relieved to see the brilliance of progression. Your negative attitude towards his idea is appalling. Buses running on Shabbat doesn't make Israel less Jewish. It appears that you're so set on licking the arses of the religious that you're overlooking the fact that the majority of Tel Aviv does NOT observe Shabbat. Buses on Shabbat would bring the "aliens" from the outskirts into the city and probably increase business on Friday nights. Yes, there are other areas of concern (such as housing costs) that have to be tackled. That doesn't mean that until those are dealt with that new ideas should be overlooked. In reading your article, I actually think you're just a bit jealous that you didn't think of the idea yourself. Grow up.

Shabbat buses, unlike military service for religious people, do not force themselves on the religious. They can just decline using those buses. It does not need to have any impact on their lives, they can stay home/travel on foot if they like, while secular people ride the bus. Why should everybody be grounded so a religious minority doesn't have to look at buses it doesn't have to USE? Are you religious? Don't use the bus. Are you secular? Do use the bus. Isn't it simple?

You cant declare the basic rights of the women as a part of the status quo! Gender equalitiy is part of the LAW! Not part of any agrement between religious and not religious! You totally abusing women here! If you dont have better points, let it be!

Oh dear, Raanan, you really are confused about this aren't you? What about those people who live in Tel Aviv, don't have a car (because they pay suich high rents) and want to get to see their families in the "parveritim" on the weekend? what about those who live outside TA and would like to get into the city, but also don't have a car...? It's not as if the religious community is being forced to use the buses, and the city could also keep the buses away from religious areas (in TA? B'nei Brak...OK). But the inconvenience imposed on secular city dwellers is unacceptable and just another instance of religious coercion. I'll respect anybody's right to be religious - as long as they respect my right to be secular. The knife cuts both ways.

Buses should run on Shabbat and all drivers should be required to work them. No exemptions for "religious" drivers. Shabbat is stupid no other country has it and neither should Israel. The work week should include Saturday with Friday and Sunday off

Those who care about the future of their children, this is the time to act.

First of all, it is entirely up to the Israeli people to decide this matter and it is not my business. However, what those defending the status quo need to understand is this: The 'status quo', much more than the Arabs, is what is stopping most Jews from making aliyah. Jews in the US or in Europe do not want to live in a country where a religious police determine how we should live. I am all for respecting the haredim and letting them live their lives as long as it doesn't conflict with the state. What Israel as a state needs to decide is this: does it want to be a state where Judaism assumes the role of Shia Islam in Iran OR does it want to be a country for all Jews. The vast majority of the world's Jews are secular, and the reason the majority of the world's Jews live outside Israel is that we prefer living in a secular society.

is the same nonsense that has permeated Israeli society for decades and why control of the country is being lost to the religous. Wake up majority - take back the country before it's too late!

We now don't have a weekday service that functions properly, so if that's anything to go by, expect very little on shabbat.

what claim do you have to the land other then the torah? and if you say no to the torah ( shabbat ) then you say no to your claim?

Sure it is. For your convenience, you want to force some bus driver to work on the only day off that his wife and kids also have. Doesnt' matter if he's religious or not---a day off where both parents and children can do things together trumps your selfish desire to more convenient 24/7 transporation. Can't afford a car? Buy a bike Take a cab. Walk. Borrow your dad's car. .What a bunch of self-centered pigs on this page. Yeah, you should make someone work instead of take a taxi so you can ride to the beach for cheap. Oink, oink.

to find "no electricity during shabbat" in the torah...

The difference is that Israel is a Jewish state, and Shabbat has sustained us for nearly six thousand years. If you don't like it, convert to a religion more to your liking and move to a country more appropriate to your astonishing level of crass and vulgarity. No shortage of those.

No buses on Shabbat simply mean you are doing a little something right if not everything.

Buses on Shabbat, one condition, women sit at the back !!!!!!!!!

secular Jews are not interested in Israel with or without buses on Shabat.They couldn t care less.

Someone has their cap on right and this time its not just on his little boy toy. I totally agree.

You can but for the rest of us Science has proved the bible right. We need a day OFF. Most other (Christian) countries do have a Shabbat, taken from us and moved to Sunday, or in the case of the Muslim countries, Friday. So your suggestion is - forget the Jewish shabbat, lets keep the Muslim and Christian shabbat. Brilliant. So liberal, secular taking into consideration others of you.

Well, how about the historically documented and corroborated -- to say nothing of abundant archeological evidence -- existence of the Kingdom of Judah and the Kingdom of Israel?

Friday and Sunday as days off but EVERYONE (religious included) must report to work on Shabbat! What about people who want to go away for a 2-day weekend. "Oh sorry you can't because everybody MUST work on Shabbat, because we just have to crush those stupid religious people. Shabbat must be eliminated forever!" DUMBEST. IDEA. EVER.

So long as they're not too close to you, eh? Anyone close to you must be like you, right, and reeducated if necessary? Progressive bigotry is *so* much better than the other, dirty kind!

Religious bus drivers would no more be forced to work than religious taxi drivers. And who says the bus driver is even Jewish? So oink oink yourself.

despite buses not riding on Shabat.