While the title is accurate, the following story is likely to differ from what most believe to be the case. It refers to a bill pushed by MK (Yesh Atid) Aliza Lavie, seeking to end what she calls “discrimination between religious and non-religious employees”. The Knesset Labor & Welfare Committee passed it, clearing it for its first reading in Knesset.

Under current law, a Shomer Shabbos resident may refuse to work on the “day of rest”, Shabbos; however, a non-frum employee does not have that same right. Lavie feels compelled to bring an end to this “discrimination” and the Knesset Labor & Welfare Committee passed the bill despite audible objections from the cabinet. Lavie feels that all workers are entitled to a day off, even if one is not frum to permit them a break “from the rat race”.

Objections to the bill seem to surround a clause in the bill that includes workers who have permits to work on Shabbos, now included in Lavie’s bill.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)