Israel Hofsheet, a civil rights NGO which works to change policy and legislation in religious-state relations, sent an “exhaustion of remedies” letter on Wednesday to the attorney-general and the Transportation Ministry demanding that authorities provide widespread transport throughout the week, including on Shabbat.
The letter also demanded the particular provision of transport options to the around 150,000 Israelis stuck abroad after Israeli airspace was closed at the start of Operation Rising Lion.
An "exhaustion of remedies" letter is an attempt to settle legal issues outside of court as much as possible before making that move. Procedurally, this is the first move done before a court petition, and traditionally is seen as required before a petition is filed. It also gives time for the other to respond in kind.
It argued that essential travel must be provided, as the Transportation Ministry already vowed to do.
The letter referenced several High Court of Justice decisions in its favor that were handed down around the time of the Hamas October 7 massacre.
On Tuesday, Transportation Minister Miri Regev and El Al, which has taken charge of the rescue flights, asked for a religious ruling from Sephardic Chief Rabbi David Yosef regarding operating the rescue flights on Shabbat.
He said that since, in this particular case, it is not a matter of life-and-death, the flights are not to operate on Shabbat.
Yosef's ruling is 'a grave violation of rights,' the NGO argues
“We will say what should be wholly obvious to decision-makers: There cannot be a debate over whether there is an immediate and critical need to provide essential transport right now. Israel is at war on different fronts, and Israelis wish to be with their loved ones. This includes parents to children, as well as those who are working to fight for Israel's safety,” Israel Hofsheet explained.
“The religious ruling will bring about a grave violation of rights for thousands of people,” it added.
The letter was filed through the Kalai, Rosen & Co firm.