Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman issued a statement praising the High Court of Justice decision to permit grocery stores to open in Tel Aviv on Shabbos. The court responded to a petition filed by Tel Aviv City Hall following over two years of government procrastination on the matter.

In his Facebook posting the senior minister stated �I welcome the High Court decision to permit opening supermarkets in commercial areas in Tel Aviv on Shabbos. It is a proportional municipal law that on the one hand permits maintaining the Shabbos as a day of rest, and on the other hand gives many citizens the possibility to spend on Shabbos according to their will. Tel Aviv has a certain character that has developed since the establishment of the state, and there is no reason for the state to intervene and harm the urban fabric that has crystallized.�

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)