Israel’s Cabinet voted to strengthen the Sabbath-observance law by recommending to the Knesset (Parliament) that factory workers or owners be prohibited from working on the factory premises during their weekly rest days. The newly-recommended law, yet to be considered by the Knesset, was adopted by the Cabinet as a result of an agreement made with the National Religious Party prior to the formation of the present coalition Government.
The new amendment would also prohibit members of cooperatives from working on their rest days in industrial enterprises or workshops belonging to their cooperative. The amendment, however, specifically exempts members of kibbutzim, although it states that work on rest days must be restricted only to chores “necessary for the upkeep of the farm.”
Exempted also are night clubs, cafes and gasoline filling stations. The religious elements in the Cabinet wanted the latter groups included, but were voted down by a majority of the Cabinet. Non-Jews, according to the revised version of the Sabbath law, may keep weekly rest days “in accordance with their surroundings or in accordance with their religion, whichever they choose.”
Under the present law, shopkeepers and their employes are now barred from working on the Sabbath. The Cabinet voted that the Ministerial Committee — empowered to issue permits for Sabbath employment on essential work — would also regulate the new clauses now recommended.
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