Several months ago, the chareidi parties succeeded in pushing through the Supermarket Law, a law that permits the Interior Minister to override local government and close down convenience stores, groceries and supermarkets on Shabbos.

Deri, in his capacity as Interior Minister, has rejected an amendment to the Rishon L’Tzion ordinance, prohibiting stores to open on Shabbos. The city wishes to follow Tel Aviv’s lead and permit stores to operate on Shabbos, but Deri is using the law to prohibit it.

Rishon L’Tzion informed the Interior Ministry the city has voted to amend its regulations, to permit stores to operate. In response to the city, Director-General of the Ministry, Mordechai Cohen, informed Rishon L’Tzion officials the amended law is not effective until such time the Interior Minister approves it and he is not going to as per the Supermarket Law, Chadrei Chareidim reports.

Rishon L’Tzion amended its local regulations some two weeks before the Supermarket Bill passed into law. As a result of the new law passed in Knesset, the Ministry may override the local municipality, as is being done in this case.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)