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Last update - 12:40 14/10/2007 Chief Rabbi Amar allows Shabbat work at Ben-Gurion Airport By Zohar Blumenkrantz Tags: Ben-Gurion Airport  Sephardi Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar personally confirmed Saturday night the completion over the weekend of maintenance work on the main landing strip of Ben-Gurion International Airport. Haaretz has learned that the airport was closed to incoming and outgoing international air traffic from 6 P.M. Friday to 5 A.M. Saturday, to prevent demonstrations by ultra-Orthodox Jews against the violation of the Sabbath and the coalition crisis it could have prompted. This was the first of what is to be eight Shabbats during which the airport will be completely closed to air traffic for set periods as part of wider renovations to the main landing strip that are scheduled for completion later this month. Advertisement The four-month project will continue for about a month after the reopening of the main landing strip, during which time the airport will be closed for short periods on Friday nights. Airport director Zeev Sarig met twice with Chief Rabbi Amar before the shutdown to explain the importance of carrying out the work on the Sabbath. Amar issued a religious exemption for a small number of employees to carry out and oversee the work, following which Construction Minister Eli Yishai issued labor permits for the agreed-upon dates. The Israel Aviation Authority informed foreign carriers about the expected Shabbat closure of the airport, prompting temporary adjustments to their flight schedules. Despite these precautions, a group of travelers was stuck in Tashkent over the weekend as a result of the closure. More Jewish World news and features Bookmark to del.icio.us   Deadly shelling B'Tselem slams IDF decision not to indict troops over errant strike that left 21 civilians dead. Reaching boiling point Gaza residents are told to boil drinking water as purifying chlorine runs out.   1.   NO SHABBAT DESECRATION IN JEWISH STATE! MOSHIACH NOW! 02:16  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 14/10/07   2.   What a ShameHashem did not allowed the Beit Hamikdash to be built 03:31  |  Jose Lopez 14/10/07   3.   Rabbi allows Shabbat work at Ben-Gurion Airport 06:04  |  Salomon L Vaz Dias 14/10/07   4.   Rabbi allows Shabbat work at Ben-Gurion Airport 06:07  |  Salomon L Vaz Dias 14/10/07   5.   What Rabbi Amar really did 08:31  |  Jonathan 14/10/07   6.   #1 08:43  |  wraith 14/10/07   7.   Calm down 10:00  |  Jerusalem Shmuel 14/10/07   8.   here here to #3 12:11  |  jefferson 14/10/07   9.   Taliban-Run State Anyone?? 14:15  |  guy 14/10/07   10.   #6 14:28  |  Yaacov 14/10/07   11.   #8 14:39  |  Yaacov 14/10/07   12.   OK to desicrate G-Ds commandment??? 14:53  |  Joe 14/10/07   13.   Seven days work for many of us 14:56  |  Moral Truth 14/10/07   14.   #10,#11 15:30  |  Fussion 14/10/07   15.   Is this the same Rabbi Amar that... 03:51  |  Ronda K Miller 20/10/07   16.   State and religion Separation. G_d forbid! 18:32  |  Jose Lopez 22/10/07   17.   Seperation of state and religion? 10:29  |  Sam Gonshaw 28/02/08

Today Online IDF kills six militants during operations in W. Bank and Gaza Responses: 26 Editorial: A massive invasion of Gaza is not unavoidable Responses: 3 Reuven Pedatzur: Iran's great nuclear victory Responses: 1 Pro-Israel evangelical leader Hagee endorses McCain Responses: 11 Gov't: We didn't know Shabbat bus services would be canceled Send response Rosner's Domain Can Obama restore the Black-Jewish alliance? Why is Farrakhan the litmus test for black politicians? (WTR) Would Obama be supportive of an Israel governed by Likud? Poll: Is it time for Israel to end the blockade in Gaza? Iran Could Have Enough Uranium for a Bomb by Year's End (WTR) More Headlines 09:34 IDF kills six militants during operations in W. Bank and Gaza 10:34 Abbas: I oppose armed struggle, but won't rule out option for future 09:34 PM: We'll fight Gaza militants until security returns to south 10:05 U.S. pro-Israel evangelical leader Hagee endorses McCain 10:06 Gov't: We didn't know Shabbat bus services would be canceled 10:32 Ban backs Wiesenthal Center's call for UN session on terror 10:27 U.S. Jews' opposition holds up Jewish Agency deal with Christian group 06:45 Hamas response / Calculated escalation 10:14 U.S. Haredim investing heavily in Tel Aviv real estate 10:08 Shas demands it be given Knesset Finance C'tee chairmanship 09:07 Find yourself and your friends on a WeFi WiFi map Previous Editions Select Day 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb

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