Torah-true Jewry and other Jerusalem residents who feel a special affinity for Shabbos Kodesh were pleased by the outcome of efforts to prevent chilul Shabbos and a breach in the walls of Shabbos in the holy city of Jerusalem — the "Palace of the King" — by persuading Intel to shut down its planned Shabbos operations there.
Following intensive efforts by MK Rabbi Uri Maklev under the guidance of Vaadas HaRabbonim Lemaan Kedushas HaShabbos and intervention by the Prime Minister's Office, Intel announced that it would not employ workers on Shabbos at the Har Hotzvim branch located near Jerusalem's Sanhedria Murchevet and Ezras Torah neighborhoods.
According to a report in Yated Ne'eman last Wednesday, Intel had plans in place to open its Jerusalem facility on Shabbos, which would not only have caused dozens of workers to violate Shabbos, but may well have brought other Har Hotzvim companies to follow suit, despite the industrial park's proximity to several chareidi neighborhoods.
Rabbi Maklev, who serves as chairman of the Knesset Public Petitions Committee, brought the matter to the immediate attention of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Trade and Employment Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer, noting that the development posed a grave threat to the fragile set of relations between various segments of the city's population.
Following a day of intensive work to reverse the move, the Intel Israel CEO announced last Thursday that the company would not open its doors in Jerusalem on Shabbos.
Rabbonim and public figures said they welcomed Intel's decision, adding that they would monitor the situation to ensure it was implemented.
