News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) Several stores belonging to the AM:PM chain of convenience stores were closed last Saturday, leading to speculation that the chain may be folding in the face of hareidi-religious pressure. The chain is owned by Dor-Alon, which also operates Shefa-Shuk, a chain that caters to the hareidi market.

Dor-Alon told Ynet that five out of the chain's 15 branches were closed on Sabbath. Three of these are closed regularly and two decided to close also, due to "economic considerations."

The tension between the hareidim and Dor-Alon's owner, Dudi Weisman, began one  month ago when Weisman was summoned to a meeting with Tel Aviv's Chief Rabbi Meir Lau, who asked him to stop operating the AM:PM branch opposite the Belz Yeshiva on Sheinkin Street in Tel Aviv on the Sabbath. Weisman refused, and the hareidim responded with a boycott on Shefa Shuk. A meeting of leading rabbis is scheduled for this evening, and the closing of several branches is seen as a signal by Weisman that he is willing to compromise.