Call for Israel Railways to Avoid Chillul Shabbos

Deputy Mayor of Ra’anana Haim Goldman (Jewish Home) turned on Tuesday to government ministers to intervene to prevent Israel Railways from carrying out repairs scheduled for Shabbos.

Goldman asked Interior Minister Rabbi Aryeh Deri (Shas), Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz (Likud), and Religious Services Minister David Azulai (Shas) to order the government-owned rail service to re-schedule the work so as to avoid a major chillul Shabbos. Like other government agencies in Israel, it is legally prohibited from operating on Shabbos.

“It was announced that work on the train will commence from Friday to Motzoei Shabbos, and that all roads will be blocked in the process,” Goldman told Arutz Sheva. “I understand that this is to warn residents who drive on Shabbos, while work is done upgrading the Herzliya line’s tracks in Ra’anana.”

Israel Railways responded Tuesday that the work involves necessary maintenance and that it had received permission for it.