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Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman has been an outspoken opponent of the Shabbos Law, which permits the Interior Ministry to compel the closure of stores even if the latter are operating with the permission of local government. Lieberman’s party is opposed to the law, insisting the government does not have the right to dictate the operation of stores in cities and municipalities around the country.

On Shabbos, Lieberman visited the Big Center in Ashdod to make his point by “giving them chizuk” to store owners operating. Yesh Atid leader MK Yair Lapid was also in Ashdod on Shabbos to announce in the next election they will be elected, and they will undo the Shabbos Law, adding the nation cannot be subjected to “chareidi coercion”.

On motzei Shabbos, Jerusalem Chief Sephardi Rabbi HaGaon HaRav Moshe Shlomo Amar Shlita, commented on Lieberman’s actions earlier in the day, in Ashdod. Rav Amar decried that “Someone in such a senior position simply acts this way towards Kodshei Yisrael, Shabbos! He insists that Lieberman cannot possibly understand the true consequences of his actions, adding, “I hope he realizes the error of his ways and announces his error”, Rav Amar stated.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)