The Election Committee, presided over by Judge Hanan Meltzer ruled on Sunday regarding the bus that the Labor party drove on Shabbos offering free rides to citizens, that the bus was indeed offering public transportation.

This was a sticking point by Labor who had earlier clarified that they would not offer free rides to citizens, but rather drive a bus around the city for campaign promotion and only pick up and drop off supporters. The earlier ruling of the High Court of Justice was that the Labor party could not offer free transportation on Shabbos or any other day of the week as part of their campaign.

The Labor party was found to be in violation of the ruling as they drove their bus around on Shabbos and Judge Meltzer fined them 5,000 NIS which they would have to pay to the Shas movement, to cover the costs of the appeal.

The Labor party refused to accept the ruling and stated that they won a victory by driving their bus on Shabbos in Jerusalem. The party said further that they would continue to do so and continue to provide free transportation to citizens on Shabbos in various cities.

The Labor party said that “Judge Meltzer ruled that our party could continue our campaign provided that we partner with local bus companies in each city, with the exception of Jerusalem. We respect the decision of the court and we will continue our bus campaign on Shabbos in cooperation with local bus companies.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)