As Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Deutsch and his chareidi colleagues are working to prevent Cinema City from opening on Shabbos, the matter has already reached the Supreme Court. A hearing on the petition to permit opening the new Jerusalem entertainment complex on Shabbos is expected on or about March 10th.

Petitioners explain the ultra modern and extremely expensive complex was constructed with the understanding it was going to operate on Shabbos. They explain that about 80% of the restaurants on the mall’s top floor are certified kosher, and therefore, they will remain closed on Shabbos. The petitioner maintains that the movie theaters and free parking are underground, and therefore they in no way compromise the Shabbos atmosphere of the religious community while those wishing to take advantage of the “ultra-modern theaters and extreme sound may do so”.

Operators explain the theaters are “among the most advanced available in the world today and there is no reason people wishing to take advantage of this new center on Shabbos cannot do so”.

Shas Jerusalem faction leader Nati Lasri told Kol Berama Radio that the previous administration already decided the entertainment center would remain closed on Shabbos but there is now a battle to open it on Shabbos. “There are more stores opening on Shabbos in the city and we continue to fight this but when dealing with a place of this size and significance, we cannot permit it to open on Shabbos” Lasri explained. Lasri feels most of the residents of the capital are still traditional and they are not the ones pushing to open Cinema City on Shabbos.

It should be pointed out the original decision that Cinema City would not operate on Shabbos came in 2009, from the Finance Ministry.

Lasri explains ultimately, the issue will be voted upon in the Jerusalem City Council and he remains confident the majority will prevail to prevent the entertainment center from operating on Shabbos and Yomtov.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)