Haredim threaten to boycott Rami Levy's Israir if Shabbat flights continue

Senior haredi (ultra-orthodox) figures have threatened a general consumer boycott of the Israeli airline Israir unless the carrier ceases operating on Shabbat, N12 News reported on Tuesday.

The company's CEO, Uri Sirkis, has been summoned to meet with the haredi leaders in Jerusalem to discuss the issue, according to N12.

Of the four Israeli airlines, only El Al does not currently operate flights on Shabbat, while Israir, Arkia, and Air Haifa all operate on the Jewish Sabbath, with these flights constituting a significant market segment for secular Israelis and tourists.

As Air Haifa generally only operates from northern Israel (and to limited destinations), a change in Israir's Shabbat policy would leave Arkia as the only option for Shabbat flights to most destinations.

In addition, a haredi boycott of Israir could disrupt more than just the country's aviation sector, given that the airline's owner, Rami Levy, also owns the major supermarket chain bearing his name.

Rami Levy stores are prominent in the haredi community, giving the Israir boycott threat the potential to further sway Levy.

N12 also reported on Tuesday that a Ramat Gan cafe was set on fire over the weekend because it is open on Saturdays.

The cafe owner received several threats prior to the arson, N12 reported, with the identity of the perpetrator still unknown.

Police have started an investigation into the attack, which caused heavy damage to the building.