Ongoing construction on the Ayalon Highway project will lead to Chilul Shabbos this coming Shabbos.

Earlier this week, Transportation Minister (Likud) Yisrael Katz addressed the coalition crisis surrounding Shabbos work on the same highway months ago, referring to it as a “very artificial crisis”.

Katz responded to questions from MK (Shas) Malchieli about Chilul Shabbos on pirate bus routes and why the ministry turns a blind eye. Katz responded harshly, telling the Shas MK “I imagine you are well connected to the Interior Ministry and you can direct this to them”, referring to the fact Shas party leader Aryeh Deri is the Interior Minister.

Katz explained he is serving in the post for some eight years and the mater of observing the religious status quo works in both directions, not just from the secular. He also spoke of the status quo and the High Court of Justice and Reform Movement, with both of the latter significantly complicating things. He spoke of ongoing dialogue with the State Prosecutor and Attorney General, all towards safeguarding the status quo.

Katz surprised some with his response regarding Israel Railways work and Chilul Shabbos on the Ayalon, citing the work is essential and it cannot be carried out during the week, hence “the dispute is an artificial crisis”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)