Power Outages and Water Cuts Leave Over 20,000 Residents in Modiin Illit Struggling Over Sabbath

Over 20,000 residents of the ultra-Orthodox city of Modiin Illit experienced prolonged power outages starting Friday afternoon, severely disrupting Sabbath preparations and daily life. The outages left large parts of the city in complete darkness and intense heat, with many unable to cook due to reliance on induction stoves and lack of gas. The electricity was expected to be restored by 6 p.m., but the outage persisted into the Sabbath, affecting synagogues and homes alike.

On Saturday night, some neighborhoods also faced water supply interruptions, compounding the residents' difficulties. Journalist and local resident Menachem Koldetsky described the situation as feeling like "Gaza or a third-world country," highlighting the lack of hot water in upper floors due to recurring water pressure problems. He criticized the silence of ultra-Orthodox public officials and the municipal spokesperson system, noting that only Knesset member Avi Maoz publicly demanded answers from the Electric Company.

Koldetsky recounted that some residents had to pay non-Jews between 50 and 200 shekels per apartment to operate air conditioner switches during the partial power restoration, as Sabbath restrictions prevent residents from doing so themselves. The Electric Company attributed the outages to heavy loads caused by numerous subdivided housing units and illegal connections that do not meet standards.

The city hopes that upcoming inspections involving the Electric Company and municipal officials will lead to a swift and lasting solution to prevent similar disruptions in future Sabbaths. Meanwhile, residents remain frustrated by the lack of official communication and support during the crisis.