Jerusalem Councilman Aryeh King spoke out again against public chilul Shabbos by a city funded organization, blaming this latest incident on the Shas party.

King explains that the city’s Finance Committee, of which he is a member, refused to fund an organization that has been receiving funding for the past 17 years since its functions result in public chilul Shabbos. King, who is dati leumi, explained the committee decided it has had enough and will no longer have the city directly fund public chilul Shabbos. He notes the organization receives several hundred thousand shekels annually.

King explains after the funding was voted down, mysteriously, Mayor Nir Barkat became personally involved and spoke with Councilman (Shas) Tzvika Cohen, who ultimately voted in favor of the funding.

King explains when he asked Cohen how he could raise his hand to fund public chilul Shabbos he was told HaGaon HaRav Shalom Cohen Shlita told him he could vote for it. King admits he hasn’t a clue what the mayor told Councilman Cohen but he is certain that once again, because of Shas, a vote to protect Shabbos in Yerushalayim was defeated. He added he has never heard a leading posek approve voting in favor of public chilul Shabbos.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)