MK Yoel Razvozov (Yesh Atid), head of the Knesset's Sports Lobby, on Friday afternoon responded to a court decision which banned soccer games on Shabbat.
"One cannot change a status quo of a hundred years in one court hearing. Over the next few hours, thousands of combat troops will arrive in their parents' home, eat something, and begin the weekend's rest. After days and nights in which they defended our country, the Sabbath is the only opportunity for them have fun and enjoy sporting events," he said.
"Working parents also feel the same, after seeing their children only in the evening for the entire week, and here comes the Sabbath during which they can devote quality time with a shared hobby of sport. The residents of the periphery, who live in an area where entertainment spots are limited, and on the Sabbath they have the possibility of going to soccer game, will attest to that. Soccer matches must be allowed to continue on the day of rest, as was always the case in Israel," continued Razvozov.
"A hasty legal decision, which does not see the full picture, is harmful and dangerous to Israeli sport - it could shut down the entire sport. I respect the traditionalist athletes, but such a radical move, without coordination and dialogue, does not do justice to sport and religion," he concluded.