The company will thus not operate Sabbath flights without the rabbi's approval. The agreement will end a month-old unofficial boycott of the Israeli airline
El Al and ultra orthodox leaders came at the end of last week to an agreement that would end a month-old unofficial boycott of the Israeli airline for having flown on Saturday.
El Al reportedly reiterated its commitment to not flying on the Saturday, which has been its policy since 1982. The "Rabbis Committee for the Sabbath" and El Al resolved that an agreed-upon rabbi would be appointed by El Al to decide on instances of a perceived need for flights on Saturday.
The company will thus not operate Sabbath flights without the rabbi's approval - which presumably will not be forthcoming unless a "life-saving" need applies.
The Saturday flights which took place during the first week in December were unusual for the national carrier, which has an unwritten agreement with the ultra orthodox community to refrain from Saturday desecration.
However, El AL officials said the flights were allowed due to delays caused by a general labor strike that paralyzed the airport and left hundreds of prospective flyers stranded. The religious leaders have cut into as much as 30% of El Al's revenues on flights to America and certain destinations in Europe.
