Politics · Other · 3 hrs ago
Feiglin backs closing Israel’s airport and public broadcaster on Shabbat
Zehut leader Moshe Feiglin called for Ben Gurion Airport and Israel’s public broadcaster Kan to close on Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest.
He said national institutions should reflect Israel’s Jewish character.
But Feiglin opposes a law banning public transport on Shabbat across the country, including in communities where buses already run.
He said religious observance should not be enforced through central government laws.
Feiglin argued that such laws have caused social divisions and political battles rather than strengthening Shabbat.
His position draws a line between national institutions and local choices about services in individual communities.
His remarks came ahead of Tuesday’s election, where he is second on the Religious Zionism-Zehut slate.
The sources do not say what action, if any, will follow his call to close the airport and broadcaster.
Moshe Feiglin said Ben Gurion Airport and the Kan public broadcaster should stop operating on Shabbat.
He opposed a nationwide law banning public transportation on Shabbat, including in communities where buses already run.
Feiglin said state institutions should maintain a distinctly Jewish character, while religious observance should not be imposed through coercive legislation.
He argued that laws intended to enforce Shabbat observance had instead caused social division and political conflict.
The remarks came ahead of Tuesday’s election, according to The Times of Israel.
- Who
- Moshe Feiglin, chairman of Zehut and No. 2 on the Religious Zionism-Zehut slate.
- What
- He called for Ben Gurion Airport and the Kan public broadcaster to close on Shabbat, but opposed a nationwide ban on public transportation.
- When
- He made the remarks on Sunday, ahead of Tuesday’s election. The article was published on October 26, 2026.
- Where
- At a conference and in a video response; the article does not state where the conference took place.
- Why
- He said state institutions should maintain a distinctly Jewish character, but that religious observance should not be enforced through coercion.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
At a conference, Feiglin said he would oppose a bill banning public transportation on Shabbat across Israel.
Feiglin posted a video response rejecting claims that he supported public transportation on Shabbat.
The Times of Israel published its report on Feiglin’s remarks.
- Airport
- Ben Gurion Airport
- Broadcaster
- Kan public broadcaster, also referred to as Channel 11
- Party slate position
- No. 2 on the Religious Zionism-Zehut slate
- Proposed closures
- Ben Gurion Airport and Channel 11 on Shabbat
- Published
- October 26, 2026
What people are saying
State institutions must maintain a distinctly Jewish character
Ben Gurion Airport, as the national airport, should be closed on Shabbat, as should Channel 11 as a public broadcaster, and the Jewish identity must not be harmed in any way.
Judaism is based on freedom of choice and not coercion
I will never cooperate with populist, empty laws that destroy Shabbat under the guise of protecting it
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מי שמחריב את השבת אלו חוקי הכפייה. 30 שנה עסקנים פוליטיים מנפנפים בחוקי סרק פופוליסטיים. מה קיבלנו מזה? יותר שבת? יותר קירוב? בדיוק להפך. קיבלנו שנאה, ריאקציה ומלחמות אחים. העמדה שלי ברורה: מדינת ישראל חייבת לשמור על צביון יהודי ממלכתי מובהק (נתב"ג וערוץ 11 צריכים להיות