Miki Zohar clarifies: "I will not interfere in the holding of football games on Shabbat" | Israel today

Against the background of the publications that the Ministry of Culture ordered several authorities not to hold events on Shabbat ("Israeli Shabbat and "Israeli spirit"), the incoming Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar decided this morning (Monday) to issue a number of clarifications also for the sake of soccer fans in Israel.

So after the false media spin, here is the truth as it is," Zohar wrote, "I have never said or imagined canceling events or denying funding to cultural institutions that operate on Shabbat.

"On the contrary, when I took office I made it clear unequivocally that we would preserve the status quo and the freedom of the citizens of Israel and, among other things, I also made it clear that I would not interfere in the holding of the football games on Shabbat.

"Instead of the state, there is a status quo in Israel which, unfortunately, the outgoing minister violated in the last year, and for the first time in the history of the Ministry of Culture, he decided to actively initiate an activity that takes place precisely on Shabbat. Which has never happened before.

"Just as no official government body in Israel initiates an activity on Shabbat on its behalf, neither will the Ministry of Culture and Sports initiate an activity on Shabbat. This has always been the case and will continue to be. Needless to say, there is an unequal act here that discriminates against a huge part of the public.

"Of course, in Israel there are and will continue to be many cultural events on Shabbat that the ministry budgets for and will continue to do so, but we will not initiate them. Just as the principle of equality requires and in accordance with the status quo. I am sorry that some of the media cooperate with the false spins of elements in the opposition in order to frighten the public instead of reflecting on it The truth.

"But you know me. I do not shy away from attacks and will continue to stick to the principles and values ​​we were raised on"/

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