Supporters of an initiative to draw up a new “social covenant” on the religious status quo in Israel presented their proposal to President Ezer Weizman. The initiative, whose backing in official religious circles is limited to the moderate National Religious Party, seeks to redefine issues of religion and state. Among its proposals, the initiative tries to distinguish between cultural and commercial activities on the Sabbath, suggesting that places of entertainment remain open, while places of commerce, like shopping centers, be closed.
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