Secular Netanya residents upset over Sabbath pressure

Secular residents in Netanya are up in arms over a decision by Mayor Miriam Feierberg to bow to ultra-Orthodox pressure and close a planned country club in the town on Saturdays.

A tender for the construction of the club, which is planned for the north of the town - a predominantly religious area - was published recently. It originally stated that the center would be open all week, including on the Sabbath.

However, Feierberg announced at a municipal meeting at the start of this week that the club would be closed on Saturdays. There are 25 council members, 12 of them religious.

Netanya has two other country clubs: the Elitsur club, which is closed on Saturdays, and a club in the upscale Ramat Poleg neighborhood, which is open seven days a week, but is privately operated and considered out of the reach of the average citizen.

According to Shinui city councillor Adir Binyamini, the mayor's decision to prevent the club opening on Saturdays has effectively put an end to its establishment. "Who will build a country club that closes on Saturdays?" he said.

Kobi Levy, of the Revaha faction, who opposed operating the club on Saturdays, said: "Netanya is a traditional town and has a religious ambience. There is no reason to destroy the status quo."

A municipal spokesman said the mayor was seeking an alternative site in a secular neighborhood that would make it possible for secular residents to use the facilities on Saturdays.