Lawmakers clashed this week over a proposed plan to modify Israel's electric power system in a way that will deliver so-called "kosher electricity" to largely Orthodox cities on Shabbat, with critics saying the move will cost the Israeli economy millions.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
The plan – put forward by the Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism – will see the establishment of small power stations outside cities like Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Beitar Illit, Beit Shemesh, and Modiin Illit, that will be disconnected from the national grid on Shabbat, powered by compressed natural gas and manned by non-Jews as well as only serve the immediate area.
According to the Haredi community, the use of regular electricity on Shabbat – even with timers – is problematic according to Jewish law as power stations are manned by Jewish workers.
Israel Hayom reported earlier in the week that the proposal, which was among United Torah Judaism's demands during Coalition negotiations, is expected to be approved by the government on Sunday.
Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman harshly criticized the government, saying it was "another trick to turn Israel into a halachic state or theocracy. For 75 years, these 'righteous ones' did just fine without kosher electricity. This aggressive move… by United Torah Judaism comes at the expense of the middle class. They are the ones who will shoulder these costs."
Energy Minister Israel Katz (Likud), however, defended the move, calling it a "creative solution and ability to harness technology for the sake of coexistence" and said the change "will not increase electricity prices for the general public."
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
