Well, I guess we can rest easy now. The honor of Shmiras Shabbos has been upheld. The rabbinic leadership in Israel has decided to boycott El-Al. Again. Why? Because they departed from their policy of Shmiras Shabbos one time. It was done in response to a mechanical problem they encountered that caused tremendous delay for which they wanted to make up some time. I am not debating here the issue of Chilul Shabbos. There might very well have been Chilul Shabbos. And it should be protested when it happens. But to boycott an airline that has been more accommodating than any other to an extent that may cause its demise is ridiculous and counter-productive. Is it really necessary for our rabbinic leadership to boycott them and risk their financial ruin?
From an article in Ha’aretz:
“An official boycott could deal a fatal blow to El Al as it would obligate not only ultra-Orthodox travelers from Israel, but also tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox travelers from abroad.”
It is mind boggling that a boycott like this would be ordered by the rabbinic leadership. Remember that El Al is not a Frum airline. The El Al people people are about as sceular as they come. Yet in an effort to accommodate the Charedi traveler, Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblum reports that: “there is not currently any competitor that comes close to El Al in its efforts to be “chareidi-friendly.” To boycott to such an extent is biting of the nose to spite the face!
And statements like the one from Rav Chaim Kanievsky do not help matters either: “the plane's mechanical fault was a sign of divine confirmation of a statement Sunday by Rabbi Haim Kanievsky, an influential figure of the Lithuanian stream, broadcast on the community's Kol Hai radio station, that flying El Al endangered life.” How does he know that? Does he have Ruach HaKodesh? I doubt it.
So the Kaanaim who anticipate the coming “harsh steps” to be taken by rabbinic leadership have been canceling flights left and right: (There has been)“80% cancellation of reservations of Chareidi clients with El Al, despite the steep cancellation fees (up to $1700) imposed in some instances.”
What about talking to the El Al leadership before taking any action? No dice! “El Al CEO Haim Romano called the committee of rabbis for a meeting but was rebuffed Monday night.”
Now it is true that EL Al could use some tweaking in the accomdations it provides for it’s customers. But a boycott like this?! Absurd!
