Israeli government cabinet meeting (illustration)
Israeli government cabinet meeting (illustration)Ohad Zwigenberg/Flash 90

Israeli government offices will now adhere to the state’s “Shabbat law” prohibiting most work during the Jewish holy day of rest.

On Monday, Nitzan Hen, Director of the Government Press Office, announced a new directive prohibiting all government agencies from releasing public statements during the Sabbath.

The change comes following complaints against some government offices alleging that press releases had been released during Shabbat, in violation of laws establishing the Sabbath as the official day of rest in Israel.

In the new directive, Hen emphasized that all work in government offices was forbidden under the state’s Shabbat law, and that exceptions to this rule must be cleared in advance with the Economy Ministry.

Hen noted that important messages concerning public safety were of course permitted on Shabbat, as part of the general halakhic dispensation for protecting life during the Sabbath.