A bicycle-sharing plan for Jerusalem is aiming to cut down on traffic and boost tourism in the Holy City, but ultra-Orthodox Jews are refusing to let it ride, at least on Saturdays.
It is the latest in a recent series of skirmishes over observance of the Jewish Sabbath, which runs from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, with cinemas, convenience stores and even football drawn into the fray, AFP reports.
"We view this with the utmost gravity," ultra-Orthodox city councillor Eliezer Rauchberger said in a recent radio interview of plans to operate the bicycle-sharing scheme seven days a week, meaning also on the Sabbath."We will do everything we can to prevent this. Jerusalem is a holy city. That's how it needs to be run."