The construction of the ice city in Yerushalayim has resulted in calls from chareidi elected officials to stop work on Shabbos. The success of the cultural event last year has resulted in a return of the International Ice Festival Jerusalem Ice, scheduled to open on 10 Adar 5773 (Feb. 20th) in the capital.

Yahadut Hatorah’s Yaakov Halprin sent a letter to Mayor Nir Barkat calling upon him to order a halt to construction work on Shabbos since the project is an official cultural event sponsored by the city. The chilul Shabbos has been ongoing for three week, Halprin explains.

Halprin reminds the mayor of the significance of “Kedushas Shabbos” in Eretz Yisrael, particularly in Yerushalayim. He also speaks of the long-standing religious status quo that exists.

Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Yossi Deutsch is quoted as telling Kikar Shabbos “What I know from a few residents close to the ice show site is that work continued in full swing on Shabbos. If this is indeed the case, it is very serious and we as a chareidi party may not accept this as a fait accompli. Yahadut Hatorah is calling for an urgent meeting of the city council to discuss this matter.

IsraCard, which sponsors the cultural event, released a statement that it is in no way responsible for the chilul Shabbos. Officials of the credit card company explain their role is simply sponsoring the event, nothing more. IsraCard states that anything to do with chilul Shabbos is an issue for Jerusalem City Hall and the Jerusalem City Council.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)