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NEWS
Bank of Israel Spokesman Claims Commissioner Was Unaware
Press Release Would be Sent on Shavuos
By Betzalel Kahn
Following a report in Yated Ne'eman about a press
release sent out by Bank of Israel Spokesman Gabi Fishman on
Shavuos afternoon based on an order issued by the bank's
commissioner, Dr. David Klein, Fishman claimed, "The
Commissioner was unaware of the time at which the document
was publicized."
In an unsigned, handwritten message to Yated Ne'eman,
Fishman wrote, "This activity did not depart from accepted
practices in work with the media, which operates on holidays
and Shabbatot--including the work of public institutions--as
manifested by announcements, responses, answers to questions
and even interviews with public figures, ministers and
Knesset members on these days as well."
The message, not written on a BOI letterhead, goes on to say,
"With full recognition of the sensitivity regarding Jewish
holidays and Shabbat among the public and bank workers, the
Commissioner immediately instructed all of the relevant
figures at the bank to refrain from this type of activity in
the future as much as possible, while taking into account the
fact that spokesmen and media consultants--even at public
institutions--must be available to the media at all
times."
In conclusion Fishman writes, "Bank of Israel management and
I, personally, extend apologies to anybody who felt hurt by
the activity done on the holiday."
BOI retiree R' Moshe Shofel filed an appeal in the Jerusalem
Region Labor Court demanding the bank spokesman be relieved
of his duties after admitting, "he has repeatedly violated
the Work and Rest Hours Law and declares he will continue to
do so at this post," a reference to Fishman's remarks to
reporters last week that, "there are no directives preventing
spokesmen in public service from working with the media on
holidays and Shabbat" and that "the spokesman's office at the
Bank of Israel must be available to the media 7 days a week,
24 hours a day."
According to the appeal the BOI spokesmen violated the Work
and Rest Hours Law for years, including the period in which
Frenkel served as bank commissioner. In the appeal Shofel
asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order
instructing the commissioner not to employ workers at the
bank in violation of the Work and Rest Hours Law. Judge
Oranit Agassi rejected the request until both sides appear in
court two weeks from now.
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