Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai will not participate in the opening ceremony of the light rail in the city on Thursday, Israel's Israeli media reported on Wednesday.
"As someone who supports and promotes transportation on Shabbat, I have been saying for a long time - the light rail must operate and serve the public even on Shabbat," the mayor said. "That's how it should be in a liberal and democratic country."
Attendees of the ceremony will include Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Transportation Minister Miri Regev, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Energy Minister Israel Katz. Huldai reportedly received a call from Regev inviting him to the ceremony that will be held in Petah Tikva, but he declined.
The Tel Aviv mayor will, however, arrive for the first ride on Friday with the first passengers.
גם זאת המחאה שלי נגד הממשלה הזאת pic.twitter.com/lzWS7DFVjb
— רון חולדאי (@Ron_Huldai) August 16, 2023
"The opening of the light rail is a historic and important event, an event that I have waited 23 years for this to happen."
The opening ceremony
The opening ceremony will include a trip from one end of the line to its other end and will be held at the depot in Petah Tikva.
Bat Yam mayor Zvika Brot, who is affiliated with the Likud party, will participate in part of the ceremony in his city, reports said. The mayor of Petah Tikva, Rami Greenberg, who is also affiliated with the Likud, will also enjoy the ceremony that will be held in his city.
This is a developing story