Intel proposes non-Jewish Sabbath workers

November 18, 2009

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Intel has proposed that it will only employ non-Jewish workers on Saturday at its Jerusalem plant, Israeli media are reporting.

The move comes after more than 2,000 fervently Orthodox Jews protested the plant last Saturday, attacking journalists and the city's haredi vice mayor.

According to the proposal, only 60 employees, all non-Jewish, will work on Saturday in three shifts, Ha'aretz reported. The new non-Jewish workers already have begun training and the company also will recruit fervently Orthodox employees, according to the newspaper.

The proposal reportedly was presented Wednesday to Uri Maklev, the leader of the fervently Orthodox United Torah Judaism party, during a meeting led by Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin.

Intel did not comment on reports about the proposal.

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