The Jerusalem Municipality is finally taking action against owners of a number of grocery stores that continue to defy the law, operating in Shabbos in downtown Jerusalem. To date, even if the stores were fined, the fines were minimal and it was financially worth the owner’s while to pay the fine and remain open. The chareidi parties have been trying to turn up the pressure on Mayor Nir Barkat’s administration to take a more active position regarding enforcement of Shabbos laws to bring an end to the chilul Shabbos.

The stores have had warnings issued to them for about a half year and finally, the city has moved ahead with legal action against the stores. One store included in the legal action is “Pitzutzit Natali” (פיצוציית נטלי) located at on Rabbi Akiva Street. The indictment cites the store has opened for the last eight consecutive Shabbatot.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)