The Tzfat Country Club pool which continues to operate on Shabbos is once again at the heart of dispute in the northern city. Pashkavilim were hung this week calling on the chareidi tzibur to boycott the pool until such time it agrees to close its doors on Shabbos. The pashkavilim were distributed due to rumors the pool was closing on Shabbos, a rumor that was proven not to be true.

According to Deputy Mayor Nehorai Lechiani, the pashkavilim damage the city’s image, telling Kikar Shabbos News “The pool can legally operate on Shabbos as per its operating contract as has been the case for decades”. He explained that the contract was given to an outside party, who runs the pool, adding “If one buys a car can another tell him what to do with the car?”

Lechiani explains there are two pools, one in the city’s southern area and a new one in the northern area. The latter will operate on Shabbos while the southern one will not.

Pool owner Tzion Halal explains that the chareidim began boycotting three years ago over the Shabbos issue and he survived just fine and will continue “living without them” as he told Kikar Shabbos. He emphasizes if the pool operates or closes on Shabbos is his decision and his alone.

He explains that the pashkavilim have placed him in a box for it simply serves to arouse tensions in the city between the frum and secular community and even if he wishes to close on Shabbos for economic reasons, now they will yell at him that he is giving in to the chareidim. He urges the frum community to refrain from launching another campaign which will just lead to increased tensions in the city and guarantee that he poll continues operating on Shabbos.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)