JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Senior charedi figures have threatened a general consumer boycott of the Israeli airline Israir unless the carrier ceases operating on Shabbat, according to a report by the N12 news outlet on Tuesday.
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The company’s CEO, Uri Sirkis, has been summoned to meet with the charedi leaders in Jerusalem to discuss the issue, according to N12.
Of the four Israeli airlines, only El Al does not currently operate flights on Shabbat, while Israir, Arkia, and Air Haifa all operate on Shabbat, with these flights constituting a significant market segment for secular Israelis and tourists.
As Air Haifa generally only operates from northern Israel (and to limited destinations), a change in Israir’s Shabbat policy would leave Arkia as the only option for Shabbat flights to most destinations.
In addition, a charedi boycott of Israir could disrupt more than just the country’s aviation sector, given that the airline’s owner, Rami Levy, also owns the major supermarket chain bearing his name.
Rami Levy stores are a prominent part of the charedi public’s buying power, giving the Israir boycott threat the potential to further sway Levy in his decision.
N12 also reported on Tuesday that a Ramat Gan cafe was set on fire over the weekend because it is open on Saturdays.
שוב אירוע הצתה של עסק חדש שנפתח ברמת גן, כמה עשרות מטרים במורד הרחוב נעשה נסיון הצצה של עסק נוסף לפני מספר שנים, גם כי ביקש לפתוח בשבת.
הפעם בית הקפה החדש ׳בנדיטה׳ היא הקורבן ושוב, צעיר לבוש שחור, קסדת אופנוע וציציות שיוצאות מהמכנס בבולטות החוצה. נראה שככל שחולף הזמן אנחנו… pic.twitter.com/GpRVNzGRgn
— רועי ברזילי Roi Barzilai (@roibarzilai) May 5, 2026
The cafe owner received several threats prior to the arson, N12 reported, with the identity of the perpetrator still unknown.
Police have started an investigation into the attack, which caused heavy damage to the building.
Good!
I love the chareidim, they insist on the airlines not working on shabbos , but everyone complains that ELAL is price gouging. Make up your mind, which is more important to you!! I for one, support their shmiras shabbos and even when the other areilim flew, chose to fly ELAL. My only complaint that I have with ELAL is their deficient customer relations/communications. If they are taking good prices they should provide good non flight related services. (Ie:, cancellations, changes)
Boycotting is an effective way to create change, but be careful who/what you are boycotting. You might need them more than they need you.
how can a company in the Jewish State violate that Shabbat?
Since Chareidim care so much about chillul Shabbos, maybe they can offer to do some volunteer work for Israir to help offset their operating costs, so Israir doesn’t have to fly on Shabbos.
What does the fire at the Ramat Gan cafe have to do with anything?! Just a desperate smear attempt on ehrliche Yidden who want a Jewish airline not to fly on Shabbos Kodesh.