Last update - 00:00 05/11/2006
Israel Electrical Corp. VP fired for moving transformer on Shabbat
By Sharon Kedmi and Yair Ettinger, Haaretz Correspondents
Israel Electrical Corporation CEO Uri Ben-Noon fired the companys' Vice President of Logistics and Real Estate Zvi Manor on Sunday, maintaining he moved an electrical transformer on Shabbat.
The "Ta'avura" hauling company moved the 220-ton transformer Friday night on behalf of the Israel Electrical Corp. from the center of the country to the Rottenberg power station in Ashkelon.
Ta'avura is a subcontractor of the Israel Electric Corp. and is responsible for coordinating scheduling between the Israel Electrical Corp. and the National Traffic Police.
Ben-Noon also suspended the company's Vice President of Supply and Stores, until an inquiry into the matter is finalized.
The moving of the transformer brought sharp criticisms from the ultra-Orthodox community.
Ben-Noon backed his decision to fire and suspend the senior management officers, saying the two didn't inform their superiors of their intention to work on Shabbat.
Shas Chairman Eli Yishai said Saturday he would demand explanations at the cabinet meeting.
"This is a severe desecration of Shabbat," Yishai said. "The Israel Electric Corporation trampled the honor of Shabbat, thinking that it would go unnoticed."
Yishai did not threaten a coalition crisis over the matter.
MK Avraham Ravitz (UTJ), said Saturday that his party will present a no-confidence motion to the government because of the electrical company's violation.
Minister of National Infrastructure Benjamin Ben-Eliezer's (Labor) media advisor said in response that the minister has asked the company's management to review the chain of events that resulted in the moving of the transformer without the permission of the minister.
United Torah Judaism bolted the coalition in 2000, after an electrical super heater was transferred on Shabbat, leading to the government's collapse.