'Shabbat wars' loom as Jerusalem multiplex opens on Saturday
Yes Planet's newest complex will be open on Saturday, raising concern over possible haredi protests; will include 16 movie theaters, restaurants, and exhibits spaces.
A new cinema multiplex is to open in Jerusalem and will operate on Shabbat, Ynet learned Wednesday.
Currently going through its final construction phase, the new complex – built by Yes Planet, in conjunction with the Gabriel Sherover Foundation for NIS 200 million – will be 28,500 square meters large, and feature 16 movie theaters (Including Imax and DX4 theaters).
It will also include 2,000 square meters of restaurants and coffee shops. The official opening will also mark the official shutdown of the Rav Hen movie theater, which stood at the new complex's site for nearly 20 years.
In addition to cinema, the complex will host exhibits and cultural events. The first exhibit, David Gerstein's "Coexistence", will coincide with the center's opening, In addition, the space will include an exhibit of original film posters from the veteran James Bond series, starting with the first film, "Dr. No", and ending with the newest entry,"Spectre", which will arrive in theaters this November.
Moshe Greidinger, CEO of Yes Planet and Rav Hen movie theater chains' parent company Cineworld PLC, which operates in Israel through the Israel Theaters LTD group, mentioned that the new multiplex will use the newest and most advanced technologies in the world.
"We'll take care of Jerusalem residents' cultural, entertainment, and leisure needs, as well as those of guests from around the world," said Greidinger.
Greidinger said that Israel Theaters LTD started operating cinemas in 1929, and that today it is the second largest operator in Europe, with 1,952 screens and 210 movie theaters in 9 countries. In Israel, the group has three main interests: film distribution, operating movie theaters (four Yes Planet and five Rav Hen theaters), and film advertising.
"Our European brand is called 'Cinema City', not to be confused with our Israeli competitors," explained Geidinger. "There's room for both complexes in Jerusalem," he said, talking about Israeli company Cinema City's existing complex in the Israeli capital.
Jerusalem Mayor: We're all committed to the status quo
As for the concerns that haredi groups might protest due to the fact that the new complex will operate on Saturdays, in violation of Jewish Shabbat laws, Greidinger said, "I believe in 'live and let live', as long as you don't hurt others. I grew up with controversies over Shbabat in Jerusalem, in the end you reach a status quo, and I believe that will be the case here."
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said in a statement: "The 'Sherover Yes Planet' multiplex joins a number of cultural, leisure, and sport complexes opened in Jerusalem in the past few years, and is another step forward in the process of strengthening and fortifying Jerusalem as a cultural and tourist destination – an open and diverse city that is constantly moving forward."
Mr. Barkat continued, "Jerusalem's strength and unique beauty has always been in its diversity and cultural richness – the human mosaic, a city that isn't divided to tribes, a city that combines the holy and the everyday and binds all of Israel in friendship. Today, as always, we're all committed to the city's status quo, and to promoting tolerance. We are proud that Jerusalem is returning to it's natural spot as a destination for culture seekers from Israel and around the world, and as Israel's cultural capital."
