‘one Day Off’ Rule Irks Jews of Palestine

The Sabbath Observance World Union, which has its headquarters here, announces that the Palestine government is preparing a draft law which will empower the municipalities of Jerusalem, Jaffa, Tel Aviv and Haifa to issue local week-day observance orders which may also be applied in other districts.

The draft law provides, it is understood, that every municipality, with the approval of the High Commissioner’s general regulations relating to all or a group of enterprises, may be closed on a definite day of the week. It further provides that f anyone residing in any area in which such an order is in force notifies the authorities that he releases his entire staff on a day other than that generally set, he will be exempt from the order.

The law extends to all work in industrial, commercial and communication undertakings, but not to agriculture. It also excludes enterprises in which the proprietor works alone or only with the aid of members of his family. It also exempts restaurants.

In Jewish quarters it is complained that the law places all the days of the week one principle of equality and it is urged that only Saturday, Friday and Sunday should be taken into consideration. In addition, it should not be left open to anyone in an area which has declared a certain day as the general day of rest of select some other day according to his choice, but that only that day which is appointed by his religion should be available.

The distinction between employment of outside workers and the employment of the employer himself and members of his family is also regarded as objectionable because the Jewish law makes no distinction of such a nature.

It is also demanded that work in the restaurants should be properly regulated.

The Jewish views on the subject, it is stated, have been transmitted to official quarters.