Saturday protest
Saturday protestIsrael news photo: Flash 90

Computer chip giant Intel may close down its Jerusalem plant because of the protests by Hareidi Religious Jews against it, a source within Intel told Arutz Sheva's Hebrew service.

Hundreds of hareidi religious Jews picketed outside the plant at the Har Hotzvim hi-tech industrial area in Jerusalem Saturday, in protest of the fact that the plant employs workers on the Sabbath. Police say the protesters attacked journalists and there was evidence that some damage was caused to the plant's front door.

The protesters dispersed quietly and no one was hurt.

100 hareidi protesters demonstrated against Sabbath desecration at Shivtei Yisrael Street in Meah Shearim, Jerusalem. A police force was on hand. No violent incidents were reported. 

Attempts to reach a compromise regarding work in the plant failed at week's end. The religious representatives suggested that only non-Jewish employees work on Sabbaths but the plant rejected this possibility.

MK Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz) warned Saturday that the demonstrations against Intel could “cause the city's economic base to flee.”

"Plants and firms like Intel not only supply sustenance to residents of Jerusalem, they also sustain the public coffers and enable the city to supply services to the populace, including the hareidis,” he said. “The eida hareidit [a stream within the hareidi world -- ed.] is only looking for battles that will keep it united and enable it to raise money abroad, and we all pay the price,” he added.