Three of four lanes of the Ayalon Highway in the area of Halacha Interchange southbound were shut on Friday night to accommodate maintenance on Israel Railways. Police informed motorists ahead of Shabbos regarding the lane closures, explaining it was compelled to permit the railway to conduct maintenance.
Shas and Yahadut Hatorah officials were furious as they are addressing the growing trend of increased Chilul Shabbos in the public and private sectors. The Sunday morning 25 Tammuz edition of Yated Neeman expressed protest over the growing Chilul Shabbos and the need for Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz to address the matter immediately.
In fact, MK Uri Maklev turned to the ministry’s director-general on Thursday in a hope of preventing the Chilul Shabbos. was told that the matter is one of pikuach nefesh and therefore not avoidable. Maklev rejected the contention, insisting the work can be completed on motzei Shabbos as well, or another night during the week if need be.
Yated Neeman adds the public is particularly angry in light of recent public declaration by Transportation Minister (Likud) Yisrael Katz, who gave his word to remain at the forefront in the battle to maintain the Shabbos status quo and his ministry.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
It would seem that in cases like this, it would be prudent to rely upon the judgement of the technical experts as to when to schedule critical maintenance work rather MK Maklev and some other politicians