The Chairman of the Ichud Leumi faction of the Bayit Yehudi party, Interim Minister of Transportation Betzalel Smotrich, is about to face his first Shabbos in his new cabinet post. Smotrich has been alongside the chareidi parties, openly condemning ongoing Chilul Shabbos by government ministries, particularly the Ministry of Transportation, which is now under his control. The ministry has given permission for ongoing Chilul Shabbos by Israel Railways, as the latter explains the maintenance work that it conducts is “Pikuach Nefesh” and it cannot be conducted during the week.

According to a report appearing in the daily Haaretz from correspondent Chaim Levinson, this coming Shabbos, there will be 272 people working in Israel Railways, including 111 Jews. The permits for the Chilul Shabbos were given before Smotrich became a minister.

Smotrich has sent an urgent letter to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, citing Israel Railways is public governmental body and it too is compelled to keep the Shabbos, asking the prime minister to become personally involved in the matter to prevent the Chilul Shabbos, which “is offensive to the sensitivities of the public” he explains.

Smotrich adds “There are specific parameters regarding Chilul Shabbos, as to what is and what is not permitted, and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel is the body to make such decisions”.

In his letter, he asks former Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz and the prime minister to consult with the Chief Rabbinate on the matter, citing that if the Chief Rabbinate permits work on Shabbos, he would certainly support the ruling.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)