The Ministerial Law Committee on Sunday 8 Teves passed the law prohibiting stores from doing business on Shabbos. The Kulanu party tried to prevent the vote, albeit without success.

The bill was presented by MK (Likud) Miki Zohar, usurping the authority from Tel Aviv City Hall, which is less than diligent regarding enforcement of the local law to compel stores to remain closed on Shabbos.

In line with the new law, a store operating on Shabbos will be fined three times the day’s earnings, making it far from worthwhile to violate the law as many do today. Under the present situation, stores were hit with a standard minimal fine that made it worth their while to open, pay the fine and simply profit a bit less.

Some convenience store owners explain they earn more on Shabbos than on the other days of the week, with some stating their Shabbos income amounts to more than all the other days combined.

The chareidi coalition partners compelled the coalition to support the bill as the battle continues to prevent stores from opening in many cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

In addition, a store owner opening on Shabbos would be open to civil suits from store owners who feel their opening on Shabbos results in a significant loss of income as they are faced with a dilemma; to open to compete or remain closed and lose the business.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)