Jerusalem mayor eyes change in city's religious status quo

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat is reportedly promoting a controversial plan to regulate businesses operating in the capital on the weekends, effectively changing the religious status quo in Jerusalem.

Army Radio reported Wednesday that the plan includes stricter enforcement and heavier fines on businesses operating on Shabbat, which will most likely force eight convenience stores on major streets in central Jerusalem, which have been open on weekends for years, to close their doors on the weekends.

The plan has been harshly criticized by the secular community in Jerusalem, suggesting that Barkat is rushing to appease the ultra-Orthodox community after last week's opening of the Yes Planet multiplex in Jerusalem, which holds weekend screenings. That opening was met with riots, and critics say Barkat has opted to "capitulate to the haredim."

"If this is true then it's an utter disgrace. Barkat has once again, for his own political considerations, has given into the haredim at the expense of the secular community that voted for him," attorney Yossi Havilio, formerly the Jerusalem Municipality's legal counsel, told Army Radio.

Barkat's plan is pending the Jerusalem City Council's approval.

An unnamed Jerusalem councilman opposed to the plan said, "Barkat is letting narrow political considerations and petty politics affect his decisions, at the expense of the city's residents."

Jerusalem Councilwoman Einav Bar, who also opposes the plan, said, "This is a change in the status quo. This is an unjust decision rooted in irrational motives. There's no desire to endorse massive commerce in Jerusalem on Shabbat, but there has to be a balance allowing a number of convenience stores to stay open."

A statement by the Jerusalem Municipality said, "There has been no change in the longstanding status quo in Jerusalem, whereby movie theaters and restaurants can operate on Shabbat but commerce and public transportation are barred.

"The Supreme Court ruled ... that local authorities must set clear enforcement policy of the guidelines barring commerce on Sabbath. Therefore, the city's legal counsel ordered the municipality to define the different areas in Jerusalem where increased or decreased enforcement applies."

The statement stressed that the issue was irrelevant to the Arab neighborhoods in the city, and that the stores affected were "eight out of hundreds of businesses operating on Shabbat."

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