JERUSALEM — Israel’s health minister, who heads a powerful ultra-Orthodox political party in Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, resigned on Sunday, saying he opposed continued maintenance work on the country’s railways on the Sabbath, when all labour is strictly prohibited by Jewish law. Ultra-Orthodox parties have provided Netanyahu with support to stabilize his coalition, while the government carves out large budgets for the minority community. The issue of desecration of the Sabbath has triggered crisis in the past and highlights the cultural chasm between Israel’s ultra-Orthodox population and its secular majority. Railway and some other public works have occurred for years on the Sabbath. Litzman’s resignation could pressure the other two ultra-Orthodox coalition partners to squeeze out concessions from Netanyahu to prove to their constituents that they respect the Sabbath as much as the former health minister.

Source: National Post November 26, 2017 10:41 UTC