Israel – Government Agency Rejects Job Applicant Due to Shabbas Observance

Israel – The JNF (Jewish National Fund) rejected a job applicant on the basis of her observance of Jewish law.

The applicant, known in the case as "Liron", was sent by an agency to interview for a job as an assistant to spokeswoman Orit Hadad, but was turned down flat because she would not work on Saturday. "She immediately told me that she was sorry but could not hire me," said the Orthodox Jew.

A JNF spokeswoman explained that she had asked the manpower agency from the beginning to send her someone who could work on Shabbat.

"The JNF spokesperson's office is extremely busy, especially on Saturdays, because we often organize weekend nature trips," she said. "I have another assistant who works only during the week and so I especially need help on the weekends." "I really don't see what the fuss is about," she commented.

The 34-year-old "Liron" said she could not believe "this happened in a government institution that strives to represent the Jewish people."

Hadad defended the practice, she said that the applicant was not hired for other reasons as well. "[Her] inability to work on Shabbat was only one factor in my decision." [IsraelNN]