Struggle for the Sabbath: The religious lobby in the Jerusalem Municipality convened today (Sunday) for the first time for a special discussion on ways to fight for Sabbath observance in the city.
As we first reported in Haredim10, the chairman of the religious lobby in the council, Michal Halberstam, summoned all Haredim and religious council members to a special gathering - to discuss ways to fight for the sanctity of Shabbat.
Halberstam said in the discussion that the time has come to lead a determined move to maintain the status quo in Jerusalem.
Deputy Mayor Zvika Cohen said that in his opinion the most effective way is to enforce the municipal bylaw, which requires the closure of businesses throughout Jerusalem.
Yitzhak Pindros said: "The situation of Shabbat in the city is shocking. Last Shabbat I walked through the station complex and cried. We must fight together for the sanctity of Shabbat. In the city of Jerusalem, Shabbat has always been felt in the air.".
The chairman of the Agudat Yisrael faction, Yaakov Halperin, suggested that in order to streamline the work, an additional, limited forum be established that would include only the heads of the factions.
Bnei Torah faction chairman Haim Epstein said that the Tel Aviv municipality has changed tactics and is now trying to arouse the secular public's anger against the Minister of the Interior. According to him, we need to learn from this and not ignite unnecessary wars in Jerusalem, but rather act wisely in places where it is possible to cooperate with secular residents.
The other council members also spoke strongly about the fact that the desecration of the Sabbath in the city could no longer be tolerated. It was suggested to Halberstam that he be authorized to represent the entire religious lobby, and in consultation with the members. It was also suggested that the forum meet once a month, in order to monitor things on the ground.
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