An additional, serious erosion in the religious status quo in
the Israel has occurred in the State's largest city. Minister
of the Interior Natan Sharansky, has signed an amendment to
the Auxiliary Law of the Opening and Closing of Stores in Tel
Aviv, enabling every Tel Aviv enterprise defined as "an
entertainment establishment" to open on Shabbos.
Jurists have made it clear that due to Minister's signing of
this auxiliary law, such establishments which had until now
operated illegally on Shabbos, will now be able to do so with
full legal sanction.
The Minister of the Interior had asked to be released from
his obligation to sign this law. In his announcement,
Sharansky claimed that he signed the auxiliary law only after
the mayor of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Ron Chuldai, informed him that
in accordance with the law, the municipality still takes into
account the sensitivities of all of the various sectors in
the city, both religious and secular.
The mayor of Tel Aviv asked Sharansky to approve the above-
mentioned auxiliary law, which had already been passed last
year by the Tel Aviv City Council. This amendment allows the
opening of entertainment establishments "for the purpose of
holding cultural and educational activities on Shabbos and
holidays."
Sharansky claimed that he, personally, respects tradition and
observes the laws of Shabbos and kashrus. He added that
he believes that it is important to preserve the special
relationship between Judaism and the State of Israel. Along
with this, however, he said that he believes that this cannot
be achieved by force, and that one cannot deny cultural and
educational activities to sectors that want them even on
Shabbos.
Before signing the amendment, Sharansky asked Chuldai to
clarify if means to prevent affronts to the religious sectors
in the city will remain available, in the event that such
activities constitute an excessive offense to Shabbos.
Chuldai told Sharansky that the Tel Aviv Municipality has
always respected all sectors of its populace, and is
considerate of the feelings of both the secular and the
religious sectors. He maintained that the new amendment
reinforces the status quo in the city, and does not alter it.
Sharansky signed the amendment to the auxiliary law only
after receiving these clarifications.
Chairman of UTJ Rabbi Meir Porush said that the fact that
Sharansky signed this auxiliary law is liable to encourage
other local authorities to perpetrate massive Shabbos
desecration.
