Moshe Feiglin, No. 2 on Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism slate, said Sunday he would vote against any law banning public transport on Shabbos, including in places where buses and trains run today.
Feiglin was asked directly at the ‘Olam Katan’ election conference: “If tomorrow they pass a law banning public transport on Shabbos, even in places where it operates today, would you vote it down?” He answered with one word: “Yes.”
That doesn’t mean he supports Shabbos public transport. In the same session, Feiglin said: “We are against public transport on Shabbos and on weekdays.” He framed it as part of a broader belief that the state should be less involved in citizens’ lives, not purely a religious position. In other words, he opposes state-run public transport on Shabbos, and also opposes enforcing a ban through sweeping legislation.
The position reflects the libertarian platform of Feiglin’s Zehut party, which calls for privatizing public transport companies and leaving decisions about Shabbos service to local communities. Zehut is running with Religious Zionism as a technical bloc, meaning the two parties can split after the election.
In an interview last week, Feiglin said religion and state cannot be separated in Israel “because we are a Jewish state,” but that religion should be separated from politics.
His comments, two days before Israelis head to the polls, are likely to draw attention among religious Zionist voters, many of whom see protecting Shabbos in the public sphere as a core issue.
