The Arab List in Knesset, which has 13 seats, will not be voting in favor of the Shabbos law being pushed by Yahadut Hatorah and Shas. The law in essence will give the Interior Ministry the authority to close stores on Shabbos, however, it will not be retroactive regarding the stores operating on Shabbos in Tel Aviv R”L, which do so under the protective wing of a High Court of Justice ruling.

Coalition member Yisrael Beitenu has also announced it will not vote for the law. If this is so, it is hard to see how it will pass without the support of these parties. While the Arab List is not a coalition member, the Arab lawmakers often back religious legislation initiated by the chareidim, but not in this case. Should the bill not pass because of Yisrael Beitenu it will lead to a coalition crisis as the party is bound to back the bill as per coalition agreements.

MK Ahmed Tibi explains why this time, he and his colleagues will not side with the chareidim, stating they, the chareidim, backed the Muezzin Law which set limits on the volume of broadcasts from mosque muezzins. This is the Arab List’s payback for that vote.

While it is yet to be seen, it is also hard to believe all members of coalition member Kulanu will back the bill. It is more likely some of its ten representatives will absent themselves from the vote.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)