WASHINGTON: The Ashdod Port charges importers and exporters an increased “Shabbat rate” even if their goods are processed on Sunday morning — well after the Jewish Sabbath has ended. A request for a class action suit against the Government Port Company was approved in March, and the details reveal that the port charges an extra 40% to load and unload goods on Shabbat — even if the goods are being unloaded as late as 6:30 on Sunday morning, and sometimes even later. For instance, in cases when trucks entered the port during the early morning hours, and finished being serviced after 6:30 A.M., the owners of the goods were still charged the 40% premium for work on the official day of rest. The extra charge works out to hundreds of shekels for every shipment.
Sources believe that this practice exists at the Haifa Port as well. In total the ports are thought to have charged millions of shekels a year for Sunday morning “Shabbat” service. A private importer petitioned the Be’er Sheva District Court against the practice several months ago, seeking to file a class action suit against the Ashdod Port. According to the suit, the port is indeed entitled to charge extra for services provided on days of rest. However, the port is charging these rates on weekdays, too, the suit charges.
