So in Ramat Gan the mayor and city council last night passed the proposal to operate bus lines on Shabbos. The fight against it was relatively low key and tame. Only after it passed did the fight take on significant proportions.

Since it passed, Degel and Aguda have issued threats with political repercussions against the mayor and that they will look into the issue form a legal perspective as well. Fire and brimstone is hailing down from UTJ over this onto Shama's head, but one must wonder why they only waited until after it passed rather than work in advance to thwart the vote from passing. Deri gave an excuse for the Shas representative in city council not resigning saying it is not up to him and the Shas branch in Ramat Gan is only lead by its local rabbi who instructed the rep to not resign. Deri has since called on UTJ leadership to meet together with him to discuss the recent phenomenon of cities operating public transportation on Shabbos - but again, Deri knew well in advance as to what was happening in Ramat Gan and is only speaking out after the fact.

Besides for that, similar situations have arisen in cities across the country, such as Modiin, Kfar Saba, Givatayim, Rosh HaAyin, Haifa, Beer Sheva, Holon, Maale Adumim, and others...

It looks to me like the general public is no longer willing to accept the arrangement of being told by others what they can't do on Shabbos, just because 70 years ago there was an agreement (aka the status quo)...

I do wonder why in Tiberias it was turned into a world war while everywhere else it seemed to pass relatively quietly, even if it raised a few bombastic statements here and there. Perhaps it is more because the mayor of Tiberias Ron Kubi is a loudmouth and broadcasts everything online. With him provoking the issue so loudly, it naturally turned into a fight, perhaps. Had he been wiser and worked a bit quieter, perhaps it would have passed quietly and maybe he would have a coalition and be able to pass the budget.