The Director General of the Ministry of Interior, Israel Ozan, sent a harsh letter to the Ramat Hasharon Municipality, in which he clarifies unequivocally that the existing municipal bylaw, which prohibits the opening of businesses on Shabbat, must be enforced, with an emphasis on the Big Fashion complex in Glilot.
The letter was sent as part of the examination of the municipality's request to amend the bylaw regarding the opening of businesses on days of rest – a step intended to regulate the complex's activities. Ozan clarified in his letter that the current bylaw continues to stand in its full force, and that as long as the Minister of Interior has not officially approved the amendment to the law, the local authority is obligated to act solely in accordance with the provisions of the law existing today.
In the official response he sent to the legal advisor of the Ramat Hasharon Municipality, a series of professional issues and substantive questions were raised regarding the examination of the proposed bylaw. Among other things, the ministry demanded clarifications regarding the requested scope of business openings, the specific types of businesses that would be permitted to operate, and the vital need that those businesses are required to provide to the public. Furthermore, Ozan requested the factual framework upon which the municipality based its decision, and the various staff assignments performed for the purpose of formulating the proposed arrangement.
In his letter, the Director General of the Ministry of Interior levels sharp criticism against the position of the Ramat Hasharon Municipality, according to which the purpose of the amendment to the law is merely to adapt the legal situation to the existing reality on the ground. Ozan rules decisively that a legislative change cannot be based on a factual situation created as a direct result of violating the provisions of the law and failing to enforce them over time.
In the letter against the municipality's conduct, it was written, among other things: "If the purpose of the amendment is to adapt the legal situation to the prevailing reality, it follows that ostensibly the actual situation – whose origin is in an offense against the provisions of the law – is what dictated and poured the content into the proposed arrangement". The Director General of the ministry further added and wrote that "There is no room to agree to and tolerate an unacceptable situation in which a sinner profits".
Following these statements, the Director General of the Ministry of Interior determines that the reference and answers provided so far by the Ramat HaSharon Municipality do not provide a sufficient response to the professional questions raised. He clarified that as long as the municipality wishes to continue promoting the examination of the bylaw, it must present updated data, a full staff assignment, and a detailed reference to all the issues raised by the ministry.
At the conclusion of his letter, he emphasized unequivocally: "In addition to the aforementioned, as long as the bylaw has not been approved by the Minister of Interior, it is not in force and cannot be acted upon".