Against the backdrop of the opening of the light rail in Tel Aviv and the protests that the line will not operate on Shabbat, like the rest of public transportation in Israel, Transport Minister Miri Regev says: "I simply suggest that they understand: the State of Israel is a Jewish state, we have no intention of changing the status quo."
"Just like any other public transportation doesn't operate on Shabbat, the light rail will also not operate on Shabbat. I suggest to them [the protesters] to allow residents of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area to travel conveniently by train and enable people to commute."
In addition, the minister referred to the protesters who attacked the Chairman Amir Ohana, during his vacation in Thailand, as well as the Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen. "This obsession with disturbing public figures is simply absurd in my eyes, they have really crossed the line. If you want to protest, protest, do it in a respectful manner, and not with this obsession towards public figures."
Enabling the fabric of life in Judea and Samaria
Prior to that, Regev addressed the deadly attack on Saturday in which a father and his son were murdered in Hawara, and the roads that are supposed to bypass the dangerous towns. "I want to express my condolences to the family of the two victims who were killed yesterday in Hawara. I have no doubt that the security system and security forces will take action against the cursed terrorists."
"The plan that I initiated for a bypass road in Hawara two years ago was halted by the previous government. Therefore, from the moment we took office, we put a focus on this matter. I hope that in the coming months we will have very good news regarding the Hawara bypass, not only in Hawara but also in general for all the bypass roads in Judea and Samaria, in order to enable both the quality of life and the safety for the residents of Judea and Samaria."
To allow people to give up their cars
Subsequently, the minister also referred to the opening of the light rail and the high number of passengers who used it on its first day: "I am very pleased with the high response we have received. Since yesterday, the ministry's professionals have been stationed at all the stations to identify gaps and address them. I call on the public to continue to engage with us. There is no doubt that the light rail will bring about a significant change."
"We are revolutionizing the State of Israel with heavy and light railways. This will transform all public transportation. It will reduce congestion, decrease road accidents. I also spoke about the White Line on Thursday. It's essentially a train on wheels that will connect from Tappuah to Ariel and to Petah Tikva and from Ramon to Eilat. We are developing these lines to ensure both connectivity and linkage. We will enable people to give up their cars."