The passers-by walking on Shabbos morning on Yehuda Street in the city of Arad were amazed to see tractors and work tools in the courtyard of the Ye’alim public school, which is attached to the rear of the city’s main Ashkenazi shul.

Mispallalim are quoted telling Kikar Shabbos News that tefilos were interrupted by the construction work, the sounds of the heavy equipment and drills working.

In addition, extensive work was carried out, including painting and construction in Gan Renanim, adjacent to the city’s chassidish shul on Chen Street. Residents reported that large garbage containers were set up outside the building, and workers had been removing construction waste all the time, giving a completely secular atmosphere throughout the area.

Residents who spoke with the Kikar Shabbos claim that they saw Jewish workers among the laborers, adding in their eyes this represented crossing a dangerous red line that could creep into the rest of Israel’s cities, with the heads of the local authorities allowing themselves to renovate educational institutions on Shabbos.

One resident added, “Tomorrow they will be painting crosswalks on Shabbos too”.

Arad City Hall responded, stating, “The Arad Municipality is working to open the school year and in the safest manner possible. The city is determined to complete the extensive renovation work being carried out in educational institutions.”

The city denied that Jews were among the workers involved in the renovations and painting.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)