In response to the bill authored by MKs Elazar Stern and Dr. Ruth Calderon, Minister of Housing (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Ariel released a message to the media that “some MKs are obsessed with compromising the Jewish character of the state. Such bills do not advance dialogue and understanding but rather advance divisiveness and conflict”.

Ariel added “There is no reason for a bill that will compel workers to be mechalel Shabbos and it would be good if the bill’s sponsors, Stern and Calderon, focus on strengthening the Shabbos as the day of rest rather than engaging in unnecessary and harmful bills”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)