Israel: Harry Potter does not observe the Sabbath? · Global Voices
Gilad Lotan

The synchronized worldwide launch of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, fell at 2:01 a.m. local time in Israel, during the Jewish Sabbath, when Israeli law requires most businesses to close. Nevertheless, Steimatzky, Israel's biggest bookstore chain, held a gala event in the Tel-Aviv port, launching the book at the appointed hour. The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Employment, Eli Ishai, requested from major book stores in Israel not to begin sales of the new Harry Potter book during the Sabbath, but rather to delay it until the end of the Sabbath. He intends to place a fine and prosecute stores which will violate the basic Israeli law for working hours.
Steimatzky, ran the event as planned, drawing thousands of anxious fans late last night. Israeli law forbids employment of Jewish labor at the time of Sabbath. But in reality, there are growing number of businesses open and fully active during the Sabbath. Even if fined, it is still highly profitable for most to stay open on the supposed day of rest. However, in contrast to many people's beliefs, the purpose of this law is not solely religious, but also contains social intentions, protecting employees from their bosses. The legislator felt the importance of giving every employee, secular or religious, the right for one rest day per week, to spend with family. But in such competitive, capitalistic settings, when there is strong demand for leisure during the weekend, it will be met by market forces, even if it means receiving some monetary losses from enforced fines. The overall profit usually exceeds that loss.
An Israeli blogger describes some of the complexities of this law :
נשאלת השאלה: האם זה הוגן להפעיל את החוק באופן סלקטיבי כזה – האם הטלת קנסות על חנויות הספרים שיפיצו את הארי פוטר בשבת זה מה שישנה את כל זה? האם זה מה שיציל את דמותה של השבת בפרהסיה? מדוע דווקא עכשיו בוחר השר לשחק אותה סופרמן שרץ להציל את דמותה של השבת מידיהם של החוטאים והכופרים? איפה נמצאים אלי ישי ורביץ כל שבת כאשר המוני בני ישראל צובאים על מרכזי הקניות ההומים?… הגיע הזמן שתאכפו את החוק כמו שצריך, או שתמשיכו לא להתערב כפי שעשיתם עד עכשיו.
עוד תהייה שעולה אצלי היא, האם השר הנכבד היה מגיב באותה צורה אלמלא היה מדובר בספר שלכאורה קורא תגר על האמונה הדתית.
האם אין גבול לצביעות?…
Its not a secret that over the years, complex disagreements emerge between the religious and secular citizens, with regards to the way certian issues are handled in this country, the topic of Sabbath is especially problematic. Israeli law determines the Sabbath as a day of rest, and explicitly forbids commercial entities from operating during that time. In reality, this law is hardly enforced. Look at what is happening today. More and more businesses are open on Saturday, shopping centers and other commercial areas operate without interference, and as a result, there exists tough competition between the larger chain-stores and the small independent businesses, who absorb many losses as they cannot afford to employ workers on Saturday (and absorb fines).
I question how appropriate it is to operate this law in such a selective way – is it solving anything by placing fines on book stores that sell Harry Potter on Saturday? Will this actually save the public face of Sabbath? Why does the minister choose this specific moment to save the face of Sabbath from  sinners by acting like a superhero? Where is Eli Ishai and Ravitz every Saturday when masses of Israelis gather at shopping malls? It is time that you enforce the law properly, or continue your non-intervention.
I still wonder if the minister would react in the same manner if the sold book did not publically criticize religious beliefs. Is there no limit for hypocrisy?
Following is an image of one of the posters placed in the event space, which drew thousands of excited fans to buy the book early Saturday morning.