Why not ban Aleph?
We’ve all heard the ongoing tensions between chareidim and the planned boycott of shefa shuk. It’s actually a bit comical. The reason why shefa shuk is singled out here is because the owner of shefa is also a partner in a different chain of supermarkets which are open on shabbos. That may be a valid reason- not that I think anyone will start keeping shabbos because of the boycott and I doubt that the supermarkets open on Shabbos will actually close.
If that’s a reason to ban Shefa Shuk, it would logically follow that Aleph should also be banned. Aleph is partnered with two gerrer chassidim– the most violent chassidim– and is also owned by IDB which also owns IsraAir. IsraAir just happens to be Israel’s first airline to run on shabbos. That should be reason enough for Aleph to be banned.
But Aleph won’t be banned. And I’ll tell you exactly why. Askunim don’t do things leshem shamayim, it all comes down to politics. Aleph is the quote and quote chareidi supermarket which is great because you can practically buy wholesale there and get great prices. Shefa Shuk isn’t owned by any chareidim and in economic terms threatens the “chareidi owned” Aleph. This ban may be nothing more than an evil scam by aleph against shefa.