Israel’s chief rabbis sent a formal letter to Transportation Minister Miri Regev on Thursday protesting planned public transportation operations during the upcoming Shabbat, which include running trains from Ben-Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv to help Israelis returning to the country after being stranded abroad amid the war with Iran.
In the letter, David Yosef and Kalman Ber expressed strong opposition to what they described as planned violations of Shabbat by operating transportation services on the weekly day of rest. The letter was sent amid the ongoing war in Israel, during which questions surrounding public services and religious observance have remained part of the broader national debate.
The rabbis wrote that the move is being planned by state authorities despite the absence of any situation involving pikuach nefesh, a principle in Jewish law that allows the violation of religious commandments in order to save a life.
According to the letter, the decision to operate transportation services during Shabbat was made without consultation with the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.
The rabbis argued that such steps represent a public breach of Shabbat and urged the transportation ministry to reconsider the plan.
Shabbat public transportaion controvery
The issue of public transportation on Shabbat has long been a contentious topic in Israel, reflecting broader tensions between religious and secular communities over the role of religion in the public sphere.
While some municipalities have sought to expand limited transportation options during Shabbat to serve residents without cars, religious authorities and parties have frequently opposed such initiatives, citing the importance of preserving the sanctity of the day of rest.
Miri Regev has not yet publicly responded to the rabbis’ letter.