Harry Potter book launch causes row in Israel
With people clamouring for the latest edition of the book on the day of the launch, the bookstores have declared that they will open in any case.
By PTI |
JERUSALEM: The launch of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' coming Saturday has led to an internal row in Israel, with a minister threatening to fine any bookstore that opens on the day in violation of 'Shabbat', a ritual observance of Jews.
With people clamouring for the latest edition of the book on the day of the launch, the bookstores have declared that they will open in any case.
"Israeli law forbids businesses to force their employees to work on the Shabbat, and that applies in this case as well", Roei Lachmanovich, a spokesman for Industry, Trade and Labour Minister, Ellie Yishai, was quoted by 'The Jerusalem Post Online' as saying.
"The minister will fine and prosecute any businesses which violate the law," he added.
Steimatzky, Israel's biggest bookstore chain, is planning a gala event in Tel Aviv Friday night to launch the book and has said that it has no plans to change the schedule.
"We're required by our agreement with the book's publisher to launch the book at the same time as everywhere else in the world," spokeswoman for the book chain, Alona Zamir, reportedly said.
The chain has already received tens of thousands of advance orders for Deathly Hallows in English, with the book's Hebrew translation due to be released at the year end, Zamir said.
The synchronised worldwide launch of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows falls at 2:01 am (local time) this Saturday, after the onset of Shabbat, which requires most of the businesses in Israel to close.
With people clamouring for the latest edition of the book on the day of the launch, the bookstores have declared that they will open in any case.
"Israeli law forbids businesses to force their employees to work on the Shabbat, and that applies in this case as well", Roei Lachmanovich, a spokesman for Industry, Trade and Labour Minister, Ellie Yishai, was quoted by 'The Jerusalem Post Online' as saying.
"The minister will fine and prosecute any businesses which violate the law," he added.
Steimatzky, Israel's biggest bookstore chain, is planning a gala event in Tel Aviv Friday night to launch the book and has said that it has no plans to change the schedule.
"We're required by our agreement with the book's publisher to launch the book at the same time as everywhere else in the world," spokeswoman for the book chain, Alona Zamir, reportedly said.
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The chain has already received tens of thousands of advance orders for Deathly Hallows in English, with the book's Hebrew translation due to be released at the year end, Zamir said.
The synchronised worldwide launch of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows falls at 2:01 am (local time) this Saturday, after the onset of Shabbat, which requires most of the businesses in Israel to close.
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