Deputy Education Minister Meir Porush feels the coalition must agree to declare an end to Chilul Shabbos by government agencies. Porush made his comments during a Sunday 24 Menachem Av interview with Kol Berama Radio host Noam Zeigman. He reminded listeners that in addition to be Shabbos, state defines Shabbos as the official day of rest.

Porush feels the recent past events must be probed, but he feels it is more important to declare and end to Chilul Shabbos by state agencies. He adds that when it comes to pikuach nefesh it is a different story and we see hospitals like Shaare Zedek and Sanz Laniado address this and do it in the framework of halacha while Israel Railways decides on its own to announce its work is in the category of ‘pikuach nefesh’ to avoid injury in the future. Porush explains this is absurd and unacceptable and the coalition must understand this if it expects the chareidim to continue supporting the coalition.

Porush adds that in recent weeks he too has turned to Transportation Minister Katz and despite his promises the Israel Railways chilul Shabbos continues. “I am less concerned with the explanations and more concerned in preventing the chilul Shabbos” Porush added.

The deputy minister adds that the matter of Shabbos is included as one of the four major components of maintaining the religious status quo included in coalition agreements.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)