Ramat Hasharon mall ordered to close on Saturdays, drawing outcry from secular lawmakers

After the legal adviser to the Ramat Hasharon municipality declares that the BIG Fashion Glilot mall must legally remain closed on Saturdays, the Jewish sabbath, both local and national secular politicians declare their support for keeping the shopping center open.

Mayor Yitzhak Rochberger declares that “Ramat Hasharon is a free city that respects the lifestyles of all its residents” and that his administration intends to take steps to allow the mall to remain open and to “promote a policy document to protect the right of all its residents to live their lives according to their own path and faith.”

In a letter, legal adviser Micha Blum writes that municipal inspectors must enforce the law and will be empowered to fine businesses at the mall this coming weekend.

“There is no need to close BIG in Ramat Hasharon on Shabbat, just like there is no need to open a shopping mall in Bnei Brak on Shabbat,” tweets Opposition Leader Yair Lapid. “Live and let live. Stop interfering in the lives of secular people, there is no reason in the world to close the complex on Shabbat.”

“Labor laws in the State of Israel are not a recommendation, they are a civil obligation to preserve the rights of workers. The Working Hours and Rest Law in the State of Israel clearly states that it is strictly forbidden to employ Jewish workers on Shabbat without a special permit,” counters Labor Minister Yoav Ben-Tzur, a member of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party.

“I will not let monopolies exploit workers from disadvantaged populations in violation of the law. Accordingly, the Enforcement Division at the Ministry of Labor has increased enforcement. As Minister of Labor, my policy is clear and firm. In the Jewish state, neither the Sabbath nor the rights of workers will be trampled underfoot.”