MK (Bayit Yehudi) Betzalel Smotrich sent a letter to Shas party leader Economy Minister Aryeh Deri asking him not to permit the chilul Shabbos that is associated with Shabbos soccer games. Smotrich calls on Deri not to have a hand in the chilul Shabbos, but to accommodate a request from heads of Israeli soccer to make accommodations for Shabbos.

In his letter to Deri, Smotrich, a Deputy Knesset Speaker writes “I cannot even imagine that you would have a hand in this chilul Shabbos”. Smotrich then refers to the law and a ruling from Supreme Court Justice Prokatzia, ruling 5026/04 Paragraph 12, calling her ruling “neo liberalism” and “extremist judicial behavior” as she bends the Sabbath Day of Rest Law to accommodate chilul Shabbos, “as was her judicial way” he explains.

Smotrich then explains the Economy Minister has the authority to issue Shabbos work permits in certain cases in line with paragraph 12, pointing out the minister “may” but is “not required to do so”. He explains the justice ruled the minister may but she in no way compelled his hand, therefore calling on Deri not to permit this chilul Shabbos, which is preventable.

“I am certain that a talmid chacham and Yiras Shomayim such as yourself will not be convinced that moving the ballgames to a weekday would damage a vital need but on the contrary, the games on Shabbos undermine the vital needs of the entire Jewish People and more than the Jews have kept the Shabbos, the Shabbos has kept the Jewish People” Smotrich adds.

He concludes “I strengthen your hand in your firm position to protect Shabbos and the identity and Jewish character of the State of Israel”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)