Livni and Yisrael Beiteinu opposed the proposal to operate public transportation on Shabbat

June 29, 2014   

A blow to Meretz: שרי ישראל ביתנו והתנועה הפילו היום (ראשון) בוועדת השרים לחקיקה את הצעת החוק להפעלת תחבורה ציבורית גם בשבת. ההצעה של חבר הכנסת ניצן הורוביץ ממרצ, שהועלתה להצבעה בוועדת השרים לחקיקה, נתקלה בהתנגדותה של שרת המשפטים ציפי לבני ובהתנגדותם של שרי מפלגת ישראל ביתנו. During the discussion, Levni argued that public transportation should be allowed on Shabbat, although not in a blanket manner. "This should be done in a way that does not harm this special day, even for secular people," the minister said. "The intention is that appropriate arrangements for transportation on Shabbat should be made in a proportionate manner, to allow the public to reach places where young people and families spend their time on Shabbat.". Livni noted that in her opinion, MK Horwitz's bill is sweeping and disproportionate. According to the bill that was submitted, it will be possible to change certain lines and reduce the frequency, in order to take into account the residents and adapt the system to the day of rest. In the bill, Horowitz explained: "The Ministry of Transportation must be freed from religious coercion and allow for orderly public transportation even on weekends.".