JERUSALEM (VINnews) — In a provocative move by a minister who will likely not be Transportation Minister in Israel’s next government, Merav Michaeli is attempting to promote the running of the new light rail system in Tel Aviv on Shabbat. In an announcement made by her bureau, Michaeli said that she had ordered the director of the transportation company Netivei Arim, Attorney Maya Likvurnik, to make a financial and social assessment of the consequences of activating the “Red Line” of the light rail system on Shabbat.
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Michaeli has been working during the entire period of her tenure as minister to enable public transport on Shabbat. However coalition agreements made between Yair Lapid and Bennett prevented such initiatives from being advanced. Currently, with Lapid caretaker prime minister, Michaeli hopes to promote a program which will enable the new line, set to start in November, to be open on Shabbat.
Michaeli said that “not activating the light rail on weekends causes significant harm to the members of the public who do not have private cars. Moreover, the huge investments made by the ministry via Netivei Arim in transport infrastructure, which will be the backbone of all transport in the Dan regional district in the coming decades, justify their utilization for 7 days a week for the good of the public.”
Michaeli added that the new system will lower the cost of living for local residents and will strengthen the economy, lower pollution and provide clean and efficient transport. She called on the prime minister “not to wast the historic window of opportunity opening for us and join in an enterprise which will change the face of public transport in Israel.”
Michaeli’s declaration was met with criticism from large parts of the political system. MK Itamar Ben-Gvir said that “I suggest Merav Michaeli deal with the collosal transport problems in Israel on regular days before she looks for provocations on Shabbat.”
When will people learn that forcing religion on people will not convince them to be religious?
If we behaved nicely and not judgmental probably more of our brothers would embrace our observances
it’s not just about halacha or the Jewish religion. Even Ben-Gurion understood that it is part of Jew identity. and without them Arabs are right when they say there is nothing unique about medinat Yisrael, so why should it exist?
In December of 1987, Jerusalem opened the movie theaters. Then the Intifada started. HaShem protect us, especially the children.
Israel is already promoting every Evirah in the Torah. From Chilul Shabbos to eating Treifs to one of the largest Gay Menivollim parades to just about anything.
So this minister shouldn’t be surprising to Frum Yidden.
HIS END
There’s gonna be a great deal of commentary here that the Zionist state is not Jewish . You are correct . It is not a state run by Jewish law . It is a democratic state , and nobody will be forced on the train on Shabbos . Accept reality like mature adults . .
Hashem should help her repent because to cause the public to be mechlel shabbos her end will be very bitter
Someone has to tell these evil wicked people that without following Torah, the state of Israel is nothing more than a state. There’s no yisroel in it whatsoever. It might as well go back to calling it what the British called it.
How proud is Gafni of inviting her to his family wedding where his granddaughter, the kallah, danced with her!
Typical zionist. This is what and who YU and Young israel say a so called prayer for.
Can we agree that the 39 melochos were invented by chazal not from the Torah.