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NEWS
Hod Hasharon Mayor Allows Shopping Mall to Operate on Shabbos
By L.S. Wasserman
Hod Hasharon Mayor Chai Adiv has permitted the Sharonim Shopping Mall to operate on Shabbos, a decision that set off a fierce debate in the normally placid town.
City council opposition members Yoav Rosen and Yigal Harari are launching a battle against the decision. Sharonim is one of Israel's largest shopping malls. It started opening its doors on Shabbos one year ago, which Rosen and Harari say is illegal. Adiv notified them he plans to allow the shopping mall to open stores openly on Shabbos, and in accordance with the law.
The decision reflects a poor set of values, Rosen told reporters. "Our party is firmly against the proposal," he said. "In addition to its religious standing and sanctity, [Shabbos] is a day of rest from work and consumerism. It's a social law for the good of the workers, and they cannot be denied this right."
In a letter distributed to all town residents, Harari and Rosen wrote, "Opening the mall on Shabbat goes against every value we believe in. This is a poor decision that contributes nothing to our children's education. This is an anti-social decision that forces people to work on Shabbat and it is an uncivilized decision." They also noted that the decision is in opposition to Judaism, and announced the formation of a coalition against opening the mall on Shabbos.
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