Minister of Culture & Sport Miri Regev released a statement to the media on Sunday, 18 Tammuz explaining that while she is expected to participate in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, she will not because the event is scheduled to take place on a Shabbos.

Regev explains that as a minister and official representative the State of Israel, she will not take part in the opening of the Rio Olympic Games to be held on a Shabbos. Efforts have been made to find lodging for Regev and her entourage walking distance from the opening ceremony, but security personnel explain it is not possible due to security issues.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)