The chareidi councilman absented themselves from the Wednesday 10 Adar vote on the city’s annual budget. According to the chareidi dailies, Yated, Hamodia and HaMevaser, the reason is the committee set into place to define the Shabbos status quo has not completed its work and true to their world – the chareidi councilman said they would not support the city’s budget until such time there is a mechanism set in place to safeguard the city’s Shabbos status quo.

Some explain their move is a sign of protest to Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, that the current deterioration of Shabbos in the city would not be tolerated. However, some explain the chareidim lost since the budget was passed without them, leaving one wondering just what was accomplished by their absence.

To date, Councilman Aryeh King, a member of the dati leumi community, has been the only one true to his statements, having resigned from the coalition over the growing chilul Shabbos in the city, asking in amazement why the chareidim do nothing about it other than behind-the-scenes deal-making.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)