Ashdod City Hall had inspectors operating this past Shabbos, issuing a warming to businesses operating contrary to the law.

The move follows a meeting initiated last Tuesday by Deputy Mayor & chairman of the Yahadut Hatorah faction in the city Mordechai Lieberman, in the Office of the Mayor, Dr. Yechiel Lasri. Also present was the secretary of the Rabbinical Committee for Shabbos Rabbi Yitzchak Goldknoff and the city’s Director-General Ilan Ben-Adi. The meeting took place against the backdrop of the Knesset.

At the meeting, Lieberman and Goldknoff raised serious objections to Lasri regarding the expansion of Chilul Shabbos in the city and its transformation into a day of work, forcing more and more Jews to be mechalel Shabbos R”L. The two called for the need for closure orders to shut businesses down on Shabbos, including the Big Center and Star Center complexes located in the outskirts of the city.

The mayor promised that he would act immediately to reduce warnings for businesses open on Shabbat throughout the city, including the large business areas where no warnings have been issued to date. Lieberman briefed the community rabbis on the details of the meeting.

The city had non-Jewish inspectors making the rounds on Shabbos and they handed out dozens of warnings to dozens of businesses, explaining they are open illegally, in violation of the Day of Rest Law and as a result, heavy fines would be levied against them and they would stand trial.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)