After refusing to comply with recommendations on kosher cellular phones by the Rabbinical Committee for Communications, the leading Israeli mobile communications operator Partner Communications decided to surrender.
The company will be launching a kosher cellular phone for ultra-Orthodox users, Israel’s leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported Monday.
The phone functions are restricted to calls only, as text message services, internet connection and video and voicemail applications are disabled.
By doing so, Partner will be joining rivals MIRS Communication, Pelephone, and Cellcom, who have recently launched kosher phones.
Partner has been under pressure from its ultra-Orthodox costumers to provide kosher phones after rabbis urged their communities to use the new invention.
Kosher phones proved popular among the 1 million-strong Orthodox community, forcing Partner to reconsider its strategy.
For a long period Partner refused to answer the committee’s call to provide kosher phones, arguing that its costumers should benefit from all the services it provides.