Many are pointing a finger of blame at Jerusalem City Hall, Mayor Nir Barkat, explaining that since he assumed the leadership of the city, there is an increase in the number of businesses permitted to ignore the law, opening and operating on shabbos.

Adding to the list of concerns of the shabbos watchdogs in Yerushalayim, rabbonim and askanim alike, is Jerusalem Meretz Councilman Pepe Alalu, who is calling on City Hall to permit the Jerusalem Theater to open its doors on shabbos. As the Eida is carrying on weekly protests against the opening of Karta parking lot and Intel, and the Vaad L’maan Shabbos is targeting grocery and convenience stores operating in gas stations, Alalu is working to expand the secular influence on the Holy Capital.

Alalu insists the impetus to open the theater’s doors on shabbos is not his, but that of the operator, who approached him seeking to earn the additional day of business.

Shabbos activists are quick to point out that a number of chareidi functions are held in the theater, such as the United Hatzolah event, and if the theater decides to open its doors and join the chilul shabbos secularists, then obviously the chareidi community will be compelled to take its business elsewhere.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)