The Airport Authority plans to dismiss an airport employee
who has begun to keep Shabbos. The employee, a driver for the
airplane maintenance department, claims that the Authority
refuses to release him from duty on Shabbosim and
yomim tovim, and as a result, he runs the risk of
losing his job.
MK Rabbi Avrohom Ravitz sent a letter to the director of the
Airport Authority, Avi Kostelitz, informing him of the
seriousness of the matter. "This policy contradicts the work
and ethics rules customary in the State of Israel. In a
Jewish state, it is inconceivable not to respect a person due
to his religious beliefs," Rabbi Ravitz explained.
Rabbi Ravitz added that the man had not objected to working
on Shabbos in the past and that it is wrong to deny the
livelihood of one who wants to keep Shabbos as a principle of
his faith. "I ask that you examine his claim and respect his
wishes," Rabbi Ravitz concluded.
