On Wednesday the Knesset passed the initial reading of a law proposed by MK Ofer Shelach (Yesh Atid) by which, if passed, it would become illegal for the service provider or anyone else to sell in the confines of a cemetery, or within 100 meters of a cemetery, any product or service not directly connected to the funeral or burial. Exceptions could be made with the approval of the minister (I guess the Minister of Religious Services). In addition, the service provider would have to wear an identification badge.
The proposed law is intended to put an end to the selling of amulets, segulot, and other such items that are commonly sold in cemeteries. The sellers take advantage of mourners' emotional state to sell them these things that they don't need and many of them would not otherwise buy.
The identification clause would also assist mourners and others in properly identifying the appropriate service provider in the cemetery rather than other people with private interests who might be targeting mourners.
The proposal passed its initial reading with no opposition - 49 in favor, none opposed and 1 abstention. The bill will now be prepared for further voting.
(source: Bechadrei)
I wonder if this will only apply to regular cemeteries where people bury their relatives and friends, or if it will also apply to "national sites", such as Meron, Amuka, the cemetery in Tzfat, the Rambam's grave, among many others. Will a person be able to go to Meron, for example, and not have to walk through a bunch of kiosks peddling everything from candles to amulets to all sorts of mystical-type products that people don't know if they do anything or not?
------------------------------------------------------
Reach thousands of readers with your ad by advertising on Life in Israel
------------------------------------------------------