Israel – The Knesset on Wednesday rejected a bill calling for public transportation on Shabbat following a heated discussion. Thirty-six lawmakers voted against the proposal, submitted by Knesset Member Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz), and only seven supported it.
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Minister Moshe Kahlon, who represented the government during the session, said that “there are many reasons – the status quo, hurting people’s feelings – for the government’s objection. There is no need to change the status quo.”
In a bid to convince his fellow lawmakers to support the bill, MK Horowitz stated that a failure to vote in favor of the proposal would make it impossible to solve the transportation crisis in Israel.
“Whoever owns a private car doesn’t need it. But whoever doesn’t is being discriminated against – for no reasonable explanation,” he said.
Horowitz noted that despite the claims on the status quo not allowing public transportation on Shabbat, this is already taking place. “Egged lines operate in Haifa. There are ‘sherut’ taxis violating Shabbat at the Transportation Ministry’s approval. And Ben-Gurion Airport is open on Shabbat.
One of the main claims against operating public transportation on Shabbat that it would damage the State’s Jewish identity. As Shabbat is one of the foundations of Judaism, many in the public – especially in the ultra-Orthodox sector, but not only, are against any activity that would harm this identity.
Addressing this issue, MK Horowitz claimed that public transportation could be operated in a limited manner, and in places without a haredi majority, so as not to hurt the religious public’s feelings.
We can’t have it both ways – if we don’t want it to be a Jewish State, we can’t demand halachah to be honored in civil law. Now in Haredi or even Dati neighborhoods it makes sense but why not in secular neighborhoods. Another question is why not privatize the busses – then we Haredim can have mechitzah busses plus jobs and the hilonim can have chillul shabbos busses
Like the pig trying to show it’s kosher feet they try to do one thing that’s Jewish when at the same time try to kill of yidishkeit as much as they can
idiots! egged or dan dont even want this, if they start to formally operate on shabbos no charedi will use their services, & most charedim use the buses, so bust to the lot of them!
Egged is looking for Charedi drivers; two of my friends sons were just put on the road after a 10-12 months course which Egged pays if you spend 2 oe 3 years driving for them. They get taught security, safety and first aid. Upon completion and getting their drivers license they are given uniforms, including pants, hats and ties and put to work. They want Charedi drivers since they don’t have problem with complaints for the lack of respect for the passengers
strictly in terms of trying to be a modern democratic state, how is it feasible to close down the country’s transportation system on shabbos.what about the rights of the non-jews, and the non shabbos observers ? Lehavdil, in Europe and elsewhere although most stores and services are closed or not available on Sunday public transportation is.Not everyone has a car.nor can everyone afford taxis which are quite expensive in israel.
Perhaps a system operated by non-jews on shabbos should be considered with all halachic issues considered – but i am sure that you will have a war over the issue by different rabbis.
By the way -isn’t the airport open on shabbos to incoming and outgoing flights-
how does that operate ? Any one know ??