Israeli Government Rejects Petition to Compel El Al to Operate on Shabbat During Gaza Wartime

In response to a petition seeking to compel Israel's largest airline, El Al, to operate flights on Saturdays (Shabbat) during the ongoing war, the Israeli government, including Defense Minister Yoav Galant and Transportation Minister Miri Regev, has issued a joint response. The petition was submitted to the High Court, and the government's response seeks to reject it outright.

The government's response emphasizes that the demand for flights on Shabbat has been gradually decreasing, and the needs of the defense system, including cargo and reserve forces, have been adequately met without requiring El Al to operate on Saturdays. According to data from the airport authority, over 190,000 passengers on international flights have arrived in Israel since the outbreak of the war, with a gradual decrease in occupancy on Saturday flights, indicating reduced demand.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' consular division has been actively assisting Israeli citizens abroad who wish to return to Israel, keeping them updated on flight schedules and helping them register for available flights. As of the latest information, there are approximately 1,000 Israelis who wish to return to Israel, but this number is rapidly decreasing.

El Al, in its response to the petition, stated that the demand for flights to and from Israel, including those on Saturdays, is on a clear downward trend, and there is currently no need for additional flights.

The petitioner, Attorney Meir Heller, expressed the need to equip his daughter, who is in combat service, with a ceramic vest in short supply. He also pointed out disruptions in the transportation system due to the cessation of flights by foreign companies and El Al's practice of returning planes to Israel for parking, causing delays in passenger and cargo arrivals.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev's request to El Al to operate on Shabbat was mentioned in the petition, and El Al stated that it has not flown on Shabbat for 42 years, except in cases of exceptional circumstances, when it deviates from this policy.

The authority to determine when El Al should operate on Shabbat lies with the Israeli government, which has the knowledge, certification, and authority to issue binding instructions during exceptional circumstances. El Al insisted that the petitions have no factual basis.

The current process for operating El Al on Shabbat involves the Ministry of Defense ordering its operation, followed by approval from the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and then the Ministry of Transport's involvement.

Despite the ongoing conflict, El Al emphasized its efforts to assist the country, operating hundreds of flights, including rescue flights, and returning over 80,000 individuals, even deviating from its long-standing policy for the sake of national security.

In a bid to bring home reservists, missing families, patients, medical teams, and equipment for the security system and medical equipment, the government's position on the need for El Al to operate on Saturdays during the current war remains under consideration.