Rabbonim and public figures objected to government and city officials who aligned themselves with the provocative campaign and empty rhetoric against the chareidi community voiced in the secular media regarding the demonstration on Shabbos Kodesh, when thousands of Jerusalem residents came to protest Intel's move to employ dozens of workers on Shabbos and chagim at its Har Chotzvim chip plant.
During the demonstration reporters tried to spark violence, and although the protest remained peaceful, they reported being attacked by the thousands of protesters who came to cry out and show their pain over the trampled honor of Shabbos in the Holy City.
Shabbos morning parshas Chayei Soroh, an estimated 20,000 Torah-true Jews streamed in from various parts of the city to protest the blatant Shabbos desecration in the "King's palace." They also expressed concern that Intel's move could draw other companies at the industrial park to follow suit.
When Intel first announced its plans to expand operations to Shabbos, rabbonim and public figures demanded the company reverse the move, saying it could fan the flames of unrest in a city where relations between the secular and chareidi sectors are often volatile.
When dialogue between company management and Vaadas HaRabbonim Lemaan Kedushas HaShabbos broke down, based on consultations with gedolei Yisroel including Maran HaRav Eliashiv shlita, a decision was reached to hold an onsite protest as part of efforts to persuade the company to stop sullying the honor of Shabbos in the Holy City.
