To his credit, Yerushalayim Mayor Nir Barkat will be stopping the Shabbos operations of eight mini-markets in central Yerushalayim, according to Army Radio, Netanel Katz reports for Arutz Sheva.
Secular city councilmen claim that this is part of a tradeoff Barkat has made with charedi councilmen, according to which they will countenance the opening of the new Yes Planet movie complex on Shabbos. The affected stores are located between Shivtei Yisrael, Keren Hayesod and Agrippas.
Arutz Sheva states that the Yerushalayim Municipality did not deny the report. “There is no change in the status quo that has been in place for several years in Yerushalayim, according to which cinemas in the city are allowed to open on Shabbos,” it said. Regarding the bylaws on opening stores on Shabbos, it added: “The municipality’s legal advisor instructed that various areas in the city be set aside for lessened enforcement (Ein Kerem, Talpiot, Atarot and the southwestern part of the city), and areas where there will be heightened enforcement (the charedi neighborhoods, Kiryat Haleom, the Jewish Quarter and parts of the city center. It is important to stress that in accordance with the law and the status quo, entertainment spots, restaurants and cinemas will continue to operate as usual,” the city added.
{Matzav.com Israel}
