Daylight saving time, a commonplace in virtually all Western countries, has become a fiercely controversial issue in Israel — pitting ultra-Orthodox Jews who oppose it against what appears to be the great majority of their compatriots.
The Knesset Economics Committee called on the Interior Ministry Wednesday to introduce what in Israel is known as Summertime, forthwith. The committee acted after hearing testimony by experts in the scientific and social fields. It is supported by public opinion polls.
In Europe, in both eastern and western bloc countries, all clocks will be moved ahead by one hour this Saturday. In the U.S., daylight saving time begins on the last Sunday of April. But Minister of Interior Rabbi Yitzhak Peretz of the Orthodox Shas Party, is not legally bound by the Orthodox Shas Party Economic Committee’s demand, though it reflects a powerfully growing body of public opinion.
Peretz told reporters Tuesday night that he needed a week or more to study the report of a panel of experts his ministry appointed a month ago to examine the issue. Histadrut companies, the Communications Ministry and many public and private sector enterprises announced this week that they would implement Summertime on Saturday regardless of what Peretz eventually decides. Labor MK Micha Harish said he would apply to the Supreme Court to force Peretz’s hand.
Some media reports claim the Interior Minister has been ordered by Shas’ spiritual mentor, the aged Rabbi Eliezer Shach of Bnei Brak, to veto Summertime. Ultra-Orthodox circles argue that it would increase Sabbath violations and impose a burden on pious Jews who must pray at a certain time each day before going to work.
But religious opinion is not unanimous. The National Religious Party’s Knesset faction resolved this week not to oppose Summertime if and when it comes before the Knesset. It had been opposed in the past by the NRP.
Among the advantages cited for Summertime are energy conservation and highway safety. Peretz said if there was strong evidence that Summertime would save lives on the roads, he would institute it without hesitation. But he claims he has seen no such evidence up to now.
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