The Modi’in City Council has voted to permit the city’s new center to operate seven days a week. The mayor, Chaim Bibas, permitted councilmen to vote their conscience, not imposing coalition discipline and the vote passed. The mayor views the vote as a victory, one that reflects his battle to permit residents of the city to take advantage of services on Shabbos as well as weekdays. The council approved the move in a 6-5 vote.

The vote brings the mayor’s dreams to the realm of reality as the businesses in the new center will operate 24/7, with the mayor explaining anyone seeking quiet should not live next to the new center.

The new center will include a bicycle path, playgrounds for the young, kiosks, benches, and much more. There will be a piazza and wide boulevards combining open spaces with commercial and residential buildings next o public buildings such as a library, cultural center, shul, kindergartens and government buildings. Mayor Chaim Bibas stated “The establishment of the center, which will be open all day, 24/7, will bring a new reality to the city. The city center will produce smaller less expensive units and most of them, 60%, will be 1 and 2 bedrooms, a mix that does not exist in the city today”.

The secular councilmen praise the vote that they believe will bring new life to Modi’in. However, the religious councilmen are not smiling, insisting the opening of businesses on Shabbos is contrary to the city’s character of being respectful to all of its residents.

MyNet adds that the vote not only permits operating the new center 24/7, but it amends the current regulations that limit the hours of operation. This means that businesses located elsewhere in Modi’in will be able to remain open until late at night if they so desire.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)