Shabbat desecration

Ahead of elections:

Bennett U-turns on key religious issues

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett calls to allow same-sex marriage, public transportation on the Sabbath.

Likud statement infuriates haredi party

United Torah Judaism chief MK Yitzhak Goldknopf sharply condemns Shabbat-desecrating official Likud statement on Qatar Gate scandal.

Following Shabbat desecrations:

IDF Spokesman's Unit to receive permanent halachic authority

Following reports of non-essential Shabbat activity, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit has appointed a rabbi to provide halachic oversight, marking a first in the unit’s history.

Rare Shabbat statement:

PM warns Iran advancing toward nuclear weapons

In rare move, Prime Minister's Office issues English statement on Shabbat, calling on international community to act immediately after an IAEA report reveals Iran's growing stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

In violation of guidelines:

IDF Spokesperson continues to publish statements on Shabbat

Despite military guidelines prohibiting it, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit publishes non-critical press statements on the Jewish day of rest on a weekly basis.

Haredi source:

'Better for Netanyahu to cancel trip than desecrate Shabbat'

Better for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel his scheduled UN speech than to fly back to Israel on Shabbat, source in haredi United Torah Judaism party says.

Haredi Rabbi on Holon attack: 'The Sabbath has been desecrated'

Leading Lithuanian-haredi rabbi, calls on the public to strengthen their Sabbath observance, after murderous attack, which is 'close to a place of Sabbath desecration.'

Avoiding Shabbat desecration:

President Herzog to walk back from Olympic opening ceremony

Israeli President Herzog to fly to Italy, France, represent State of Israel at the start of the Olympic games in Paris.

'Not pikuach nefesh'

Gafni criticizes Netanyahu over statement on Shabbat

MK Moshe Gafni, chairman of Degel Hatorah Party, condemns statement on talks for a hostage release deal which was released by Netanyahu on Friday night, after the start of Shabbat.

Rabbi Ariel:

Light rail in Ramat Gan: intentional incitement

According to Rabbi Ariel, "The residents of Ramat Gan who keep Shabbat are interested in a quiet atmosphere."

'Shabbat bus' to renew operations in Ashdod

Dep. Mayor Katznelson is working to restart 'Shabbat bus' which previously operated in the city of Ashdod.

Buses to run in Jerusalem - on Shabbat

'We don't want to live in a city which is closed to everyone on weekends,' organizers of Shabbat busing initiative say.

El Al to cancel summer flights over fear of Shabbat desecration

The airline will cancel flights from London in the summer over fear that Shabbat will be desecrated during the check-in procedure.

Who launched a campaign against the haredi MKs and ministers?

Anonymous campaigners hang signs in haredi areas, demanding end to railroad construction on the Sabbath.

Israel’s masters go after runaway slaves: The Shira Spitz Saga

Tthe people shouting dictatorship in the anti-judicial reform protests are correct but it is they who are demanding it continue.

Op-ed:

Israeli elections: Unraveling the mess

Behind the scenes of Israel's elections - to be held next week The whys, wherefores, history, enmities and weighty challenges..Op-ed.

Haredi MK on Lebanon deal:

'This government has no help from Heaven, I don't trust Lapid'

'I don't trust PM Lapid's carelessness and the current government,' MK Moshe Gafni says when asked about maritime deal with Lebanon.

Transportation Min.: Tel Aviv light rail will operate on Shabbat

'This is my decision, and this is how it's going to be,' Transportation Min. Michaeli says, announcing future Sabbath desecration.

Transportation Minister promotes Shabbat desecration

Labor party chairwoman Merav Michaeli demands PM Lapid allow public transportation in central Israel on Saturdays.

The unusual letter of the Police Chief Rabbi and Homesh dean

Rosh yeshiva meets Chief Rabbi of the Israel Police after police raid Homesh yeshiva on Shabbat,

Sabbath desecration

2 weeks later, Chief of Staff apologizes

Kochavi had given a press conference on the Sabbath & forced religious soldiers to pose for a photo with him.

Rabbi warns against traveling late, desecrating Sabbath

Rabbi Lando says people traveling late Friday are causing Jewish drivers to desecrate the Sabbath.

Shabbat desecration

Religious soldiers forced to pose for photo with Chief of Staff

Following outcry, IDF spokesman takes responsibility for incident & apologizes.

What did Rav Chaim tell the religious son of a secular father?

"Everything Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky said was judged according to his exceptional clarity in Jewish law -- it was astounding to see."

Vayakhel: Technology and the Sabbath

Israel's first Chief Rabbi: Our progress in science and technology is also part of creation.

VAYAKHEL 5782

The private and public Sabbath

Denying the concept of Shabbat to keep personal freedom is like a person who drills a hole under a seat on a boat, saying it is his right..

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

Mishpatim: Do your pets know when it is Shabbat?

Why does the Torah say to rest on the Sabbath "in order that" your animals should rest?

Rabbi permits wounded veteran to use medical cannabis on Shabbat

Ruling applies only to specific case in question where painkillers are ineffective and veteran suffers unbearable pain.

Bennett travels without staff to reduce Shabbat desecration

PM slammed by Netanyahu supporters for traveling on Shabbat to closely monitor effort to capture 6 escaped terrorists.

City of Tel Aviv to desecrate Rosh Hashanah with public buses

Tel Aviv announces Shabbat-desecrating weekend bus system will operate on - and desecrate - the Rosh Hashanah holiday.

Government plans commission to reexamine religious status quo

"Ultra-conservatism doesn't get us anywhere," says gov't official. "We need to decide: yes to this, no to that."

Israel's Draft Law: Knesset comes full circle

Coalition agreements include changes to religious status quo in Israel, aim to legislate Draft Law initially approved in 2018.

Lessons from Shabbat demonstrations in Petah Tikva

Political agreements reached in a broad public framework are more beneficial to Shabbat observance than demonstrations.

Desecration of Shabbat in life-threatening cases

If there is a real danger to human life on Shabbat, the decision whether to desecrate Shabbat should be made by professionals.

The cost of Avigdor Liberman

Court: Examine reducing 'Shabbat buses'

Tel Aviv District Court tells Ramat Gan to reduce frequency of 'Shabbat buses.'

Taxi drivers: Shabbat buses costing us 30% of our profits

Taxi drivers in central Israel complain: 'Government needs to think about us as well, we're not managing to earn enough.'

Bnei Brak: Dozens protest 'Shabbat buses'

Bnei Brak protesters block main thoroughfare in protest of Shabbat desecration.

'Public Sabbath desecration is a gross act of defiance'

Haredi minister takes aim at public transportation on Sabbath, Blue and White leader slaps back.

Rabbi Lau: "What Sabbath are they willing to respect?"

After the mass breaking of Sabbath in and around Tel Aviv, Chief Rabbi Lau voices his objection

A halakhic state? Or one that respects halakha?

Haredi rabbis protest Eurovision Sabbath desecration

Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky leads call for prayers in protest of Sabbath desecration caused by Saturday's Eurovision contest in Tel Aviv.

Rabbis warn against businesses running on Shabbat

Jerusalem chief rabbis encourage public to support Sabbath-observant businesses, warns against 'blurring' Israel's Jewish character.

Haredi MK: I've discovered the cause of train malfunctions

Haredi lawmaker says infrastructure work carried out on Sabbath to blame for string of malfunctions in new Jerusalem-Tel Aviv train line.

El Al Shabbat flight blunder discussed in Knesset

Knesset debates El Al Shabbat flight to learn lessons. 'I praise El Al for not flying on Shabbat, but when in doubt - don't fly.'

Cost of El Al Shabbat debacle: NIS 1.7 million

Beyond compensation for passengers, it seems company preferred to pay significant price to avert haredi boycott.

Shabbat demonstration: Thousand protest despite rabbis' call

Despite call by rabbis, few thousand Bnei Brak residents protest Shabbat light rail work.

First Station complex in Jerusalem to remain open on Shabbat

Mayoral candidate Ofer Berkowitz welcomes decision: 'If Jerusalem doesn't belong to everyone, it won't be at all.'

Government sanctions Sabbath desecration in soccer industry

Minister of Labor signs general permit aiming to legalize soccer games on Shabbat.

Education Minister: Defense Minister's behavior is 'provocative'

Education Minister Bennett says Defense Minister Liberman's visit to Ashdod mall on Shabbat was inappropriate and needlessly provocative.

Haredim desert El Al flight over concerns of Shabbat desecration

Haredim disembark after learning El Al flight may arrive in Israel after the start of Shabbat. Weather, not El Al, at fault.

'Interior Minister needs to listen to the experts'

Former MK Eli Yishai warns Interior Minister Deri that if the Supermarket Law's issues aren't fixed, the Supreme Court may shoot it down.

Cities scramble to pass legislation to allow Shabbat desecration

Cities across Israel are scrambling to pass legislation that will open businesses on Shabbat before the Supermarket Law passes.

Rabbis to Netanyahu: Protect the honor of Shabbat

Dozens of rabbis sign petition asking PM Netanyahu to protect sanctity of Shabbat.

Haredi MK won't sit in Yesh Atid-led coalition

UTJ's Moshe Gafni says he won't sit with Yesh Atid, won't make peace with construction work on Shabbat.

Jewish Home MK gives interview on Shabbat

MK Shuli Moalem-Refaeli gives an interview on Shabbat, says microphone she used is a special 'Shabbat microphone' from the Zomet Institute.

'Promised to kill Hamas leader, but then killed store owners'

Store owners' union says Yisrael Beytenu's vote against law forcing stores to close on Shabbat is attempt to 'eliminate' small businesses.

'Cancel extra pay for work done on Shabbat'

Two days after resignation from ministerial position over Shabbat work, MK submits proposal to cancel extra pay for work done on Shabbat.

'Litzman's resignation is utter nonsense and complete hypocrisy'

Former MK asks why Litzman suddenly woke up to the fact that work is being done on Shabbat.

Health Minister resigns from post due to Shabbat desecration

Health Minister Yaakov Litzman resigns from his post, but his UTJ party remains in coalition.