American chip-maker Intel has long prided its Israeli-office which produced one the company’s most successful processing chips.
But the firm is receiving a less than hospitable reception in its new Jerusalem complex. Due to the fact that it will be open on Saturday, ultra-Orthodox Jews have rioted. For ultra-Orthodox Jews Saturday - the Sabbath - is a holy day that requires inaction on behalf of pious Jews. This includes everything from not driving, to not turning on the oven and, of course, to not working. But it is not enough for such individuals to apply these restrictions to themselves, but they demand that all others - secular Jews and even non-Jews - abide by Jewish law.
Thus in Jerusalem a new parking lot operating on Saturday drew protests, and restaurants and other establishments also bring upon themselves the fanaticism of ultra-Orthodox Jews if they stay open on the Sabbath. It is not only extremist Muslims who demand people submit to their dictates.
The Intel office has now come under attack. The company predicated that it will draw opposition from Jerusalem’s large ultra-Orthodox and Haredi communities, and even erected a fence around the offices. American Jews like to pretend that Israel is some progressive bastion, but the increasing state of the country is one of growing clout in the ultra-Orthodox community that sees to it that a firm has to erect a barrier just so it can operate on days when someone else would prefer, nay demand, it not. Last Saturday:
The company is now in the process of rearranging its staff hours. It employs 150 workers and may just employ 60 non-Jewish workers on Saturdays. The company plan is still being drafted and it is not clear it will placate opposition - the evidently ferocious opposition - since they oppose ANY productivity on the Sabbath - Jews or no Jews.
This is the Shalom greeting Israeli propaganda like to tout.
Blinders are on the lot of us. These patriarchal misogynists are no different than the Taliban yet they are protected, endorsed and sanctified. This special treatment must stop
Intel may well move from Israel - there are many places which could provide the skilled workers at a cheaper rate. The R&D guys may get a chance to move with the company but the general workers will not. This religious pressure may well be just the excuse they need.