K A S H R U T . C O M_©

McDonald's opens in Ben Gurion airport Terminal 3

January 1, 2020 - from Globes:

"Today, nine years after leaving Terminal 3 at Ben Gurion Airport, the McDonald's fast food chain launched a new branch on the site. McDonald's already has a branch at Terminal 1, which serves mainly low-cost airlines."

"The new branch will be kosher, even though it will be open 24/7, including on the Sabbath. The branch will sell hamburgers, in contrast to the branch launched in Terminal 1 several weeks ago, which is barred by the tender terms from selling hamburgers."

"One of the noticeable trends in the civil aviation industry, which is spreading to more and more airlines, is elimination of inflight meals. What was once confined to low-cost airlines is now spreading to other airlines. For example, food is not served on Air Europa's flights from Tel Aviv to Madrid, unless paid for. Airport restaurants are preparing for this by offering food packages for flights. The new McDonald's branch will also offer takeaway packages opening into two trays for convenient inflight eating. Another McDonald's branch will soon be opened in the Shakim Hall in Terminal 3."

"McDonald's will also soon be joined by another hamburger chain - Moses, which will open a branch in Terminal 3 in place of Schmoozy Bar near the children's stores in the duty-free area."

"At the same time, within the James Richardson store, preparations are being made for the mandatory change, starting on January 8. The store will have to conceal its cigarettes and smoking products from shoppers. Cigarette packs will disappear from the shelves, and will be supplied to shoppers only upon request. This change follows the third stage of legislation aimed at reducing smoking. Cigarette packs and tobacco products will have to issued in a uniform color described as the "ugliest in the world," and the health warning will be enlarged to cover 65% of the cigarette pack's area."

McDonalds at Ben-Gurion Airport: Open Shabbos with a Hechsher

November 28, 2019 - from Yeshiva World:

"The McDonalds restaurant operating at Ben-Gurion International Airport opens on Shabbos but is certified kosher by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel."

"The restaurant was awarded the license to operate in Ben-Gurion Airport’s food court. It is a kosher branch and requested to remain open on Shabbos to service the travelers coming and going on Shabbos."

"Towards this end, McDonalds turned to the Zomet Institute towards learning if and how the branch may be operated on Shabbos without Chilul Shabbos. Zomet’s chief engineer, Yoni Ben David and his colleague, Daniel Shinsinsky, visited the branch at the airport."

"Some of what was explained to branch managers includes:

• Removing door sensors for refrigerators used in the branch, including on Shabbos.
• Heating cabinets with hotplates in the shelves to maintain heat would be programed for Shabbos, to operate in continuously from the start to the end of Shabbos.
• Some devices would have to be covered and locked to cover the power switches to avoid turning them off and on during Shabbos.
• Food preparations would be done as in guesthouses; cooking on erev Shabbos and only reheating on Shabbos without changing the temperature."

"There is currently one lawsuit against the Chief Rabbinate of Israel pending with the High Court of Justice, regarding hotels around Israel that operate on Shabbos and are certified kosher, some even mehadrin."

"A Jerusalem restaurant is suing the Chief Rabbinate because they want a kashrus certificate despite operating on Shabbos, as food is not cooked, only warmed, and persons buy vouchers before Shabbos. No money is taken, or meals charged on Shabbos. They feel since the restaurant is like a hotel, and as such, it should receive kashrus certification."

"To date, the Jerusalem Rabbinate has rejected requests for certification, prompting the case with the High Court."