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10 Cheshvan 5760 - October 20, 1999 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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Minister Sharansky Signs Amendment Enabling Tel Aviv Shabbos Commerce

by A. Cohen

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.


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