The Tel Aviv City Council on Monday night, February 20, 2012, voted in favor of public bus service in the city on Shabbos. This clears the way to approach the appropriate Ministry of Transportation officials to file a formal request to offer bus services on the holy day.
The stormy meeting lasted for hours. Mayor Ron Huldai, a strong proponent of public buses running on Shabbos has the support of many councilmen, enabling the proposal to pass with a majority vote.
The chareidi councilmen were angered over the proposal, but their objections were muted by the majority vote in support of the chilul Shabbos. MK Rav Moshe Gafne stated the decision by the council is nothing other than a blemish on the entire city.
In actuality, while the city has expressed its support for Shabbos bus service, the Ministry of Transportation may reject the request for a change in the Shabbos status quo.
Former Labor MK Yael Dayan, affiliated with the pro-secular left-wing, explained the move is a welcome one. She told Israel Radio that this is a major step towards getting intoxicated drivers off the road since they now have an alternative. In addition, she things the buses will boost Shabbos tourism, but added the bus service must be limited, not full service, since “Shabbos is the national day of rest”, adding she does not believe the buses should run in frum areas as not to offend those who keep the Shabbos.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
Watch people (and maybe some so called Rabbis) claim that not only is it muttur to have the busses, but even required! After all it can save the lives of drunken drivers!