Ashdod port will observe the Sabbath despite the crisis

Ashdod port workers strictly observe the Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon Sabbath and special permits must be obtained from the government authorizing Sabbath employment
 
The board of directors of the Ashdod port met last week to discuss the effects of the crisis in the northern border on the port.
 
The order given by the Home Front Command to the Haifa Port authority to evacuate all cargo vessels from the port until further notice, left no alternative to the shipping companies but to divert all ships and shipping activities to the Ashdod port.
 
In wake of the Haifa port's evacuation, the Ashdod port started preparing for large-scale absorption of cargo and passenger ships. Many cargo ships that originally were destined to Haifa were diverted to Ashdod.
 
Under heavy pressure exerted by port users, the board of directors were asked to recommend whether the port should work on Saturday.
 
Ashdod port workers strictly observe the Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon Sabbath and special permits must be obtained from the government authorizing Sabbath employment.
The board, despite heavy criticism from the shipping sector, recommended not to obtain government authorization.
 
The president of the Israeli Chamber of Shipping Mr. Reuven Zuck called the decision an outrage showing that the board of directors have little or no understanding of the situation. Zuk argued that additional costs shipping lines had to bear due to the long queue at the port, should have been taken into consideration.