Despite requests and threats by chareidi MKs and cabinet ministers, the chilul Shabbos involved in maintenance on Israel Railways. Railway officials insist the work cannot be carried out during the week for this would have too harsh an impact and commuters. The chareidim explain the work being done is not pikuach nefesh, and therefore cannot be carried out on Shabbos.

According to the report appearing in HaMevaser, the work has to do with railroad maintenance of tracks in the Tel Aviv area in no way justifies working on Shabbos. Chareidi MKs have threatened continue work on the railway may be the cause of a coalition crisis. Chareidi lawmakers have turned their anger towards Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, signaling continued work endangers the future stability of the coalition.

They were also promised a committee of four, including a Yahadut Hatorah representative, would be formed to discussed and approve any and all work carried out on Shabbos.

It is also pointed out a particular station can be closed during the week to accommodate the necessary workers and it does not have to be done on Shabbos. Head of the Vaad for Kedushas Shabbos, Rabbi Yitzchak Goldknoff, stated, “it is written ושמרי בני ישראל את השבת, and that Shabbos protects us, Klall Yisrael.