About a month ago, the Jerusalem Municipality made the decision to freeze issuing fines to stores operating on Shabbos for sixty days. According to a MyNet News report, after speaking with the candidates, six of the nine persons vying to become Jerusalem’s next mayor support permitting grocery/convenience stores to operate on Shabbos in non-religious areas of the capital.

Both MK Rachel Azariya and Minister Ze’ev Elkin responded they will preserve the religious status quo that exists in the city while Moshe Leon added he will also preserve law enforcement regarding the stores that may and may not operate on Shabbos.

Azariya explained “A number of grocery stores have been operating on Shabbos and I will preserve this status quo”. She adds that for years she has believed that cultural and entertainment venues should be opened as per the decision of each community and their desire to define the character of Shabbos as they see fit. She explains this is how she will operate if elected, supporting a pluralistic approach.

Leon stated, “As I have stated in the past, I will maintain the status quo in the city as well as enforcing the law, including the law pertaining to the closure of grocery stores”.

Hisorarus party candidate Ofir Berkowitz responded, “The grocery stores opened in the city in the past and there is no reason to change the situation. We believe we must respect each other’s way, both religious and secular. The status quo permits living in Jerusalem by creating appropriate compromise. If Jerusalem will not be for everyone, there will not be a Jerusalem”.

Minister Elkin, who is backed by Prime Minister Netanyahu, added, “Regarding such matters, I am a big chossid of maintaining the status quo and will act in line with the law”.

Yossi Chavilov, campaigning under the “saving the Jerusalem” slogan adds that not only will he support grocery stores opening on Shabbos, but in the future, he envisions opening grocery stores in non-religious areas in addition to tourist and commercial areas of the city.

“I believe each of us has the right to observe Shabbos in his own way, and we must respect one another…Jerusalem is a city of various kehillos, and we must learn to live with one another by making mutual compromise. Jerusalem will not become Tel Aviv, but we must not permit it to become Bnei Brak”.

Avi Solomon plans to open entertainment venues if elected to office, as well as cultural venues and more without encroaching on the religious sector in the city as part of his plan to end negative migration in the city of young singles and young couples. He states that venues such as the Mitcham HaTachana will operate since they are far from religious areas and therefore, do not interfere with the Shabbos of the religious residents. Solomon explains the young secular residents must have places to visit and things to do on Shabbos.

Deputy Mayor Yossi Deutsch, a chareidi candidate, preferred not to respond to the question and Chaim Epstein of the Peleg Yerushalmi faction was not available for comment as was the case with Meir Turgeman.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)