In response to the bill authored by MKs Elazar Stern and Dr. Ruth Calderon, Minister of Housing (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Ariel released a message to the media that �some MKs are obsessed with compromising the Jewish character of the state. Such bills do not advance dialogue and understanding but rather advance divisiveness and conflict�.

Ariel added �There is no reason for a bill that will compel workers to be mechalel Shabbos and it would be good if the bill�s sponsors, Stern and Calderon, focus on strengthening the Shabbos as the day of rest rather than engaging in unnecessary and harmful bills�.

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)