Bumba Land Blames Outside Security Firm After Shabbos Controversy in Elad

Bumba Land, which operates an inflatable water park in Elad, has denied that its employees worked on Shabbos following public outcry over activity at the site. The company attributed the incident to an outside security contractor acting without authorization and said it has immediately terminated its relationship with the firm.

The controversy arose after residents reported seeing workers at the park site, located in the community center parking lot on Rechov Rabi Chiya, during the afternoon of Parshas Re'eh. Witnesses said equipment was unloaded and activity continued despite objections from local residents. The Elad Municipality previously said the matter was under review.

In a statement released on Motzoei Shabbos, Bumba Land sought to clarify its role. "Bumba Land is a Shabbos-observant company," The statement read, asserting that "During Shabbos, no travel, construction, dismantling, operation, or work was carried out at the inflatable park, and there was no activity by Bumba Land connected to the incident during Shabbos."

The company said the only work scheduled during Shabbos was site security provided by an outside contractor employing non-Jewish guards. "Their role was solely to guard the site and not to perform any activity connected to the event or the park," It stated.

Bumba Land acknowledged that equipment was unloaded at the site during Shabbos but said it was unrelated to the park. "Unfortunately, during Shabbos the security company unloaded equipment at the site that was not connected to the event, was not Bumba Land equipment, and was not needed for the operation of the inflatable park," The statement said.

The company emphasized the action occurred without its knowledge or authorization. "This action was not carried out by Bumba Land, was not part of the event, was not for the benefit of the park, and was not authorized by the company," It stated.

Bumba Land condemned the security firm's conduct, saying the company views "very seriously the fact that the security company carried out Shabbos desecration at a site connected to us." It announced the immediate termination of its engagement with the contractor.

Addressing Elad residents, Bumba Land said, "We understand the great sensitivity of the residents of Elad and the importance of preserving the sanctity of Shabbos in the city. We respect the community and the city's character, and we regret that a situation arose which caused anger and distress."

The company reiterated that it did not violate Shabbos, stating, "Bumba Land did not work on Shabbos. We did not travel on Shabbos. We did not build or operate the park on Shabbos. The equipment unloaded on Shabbos was not equipment for the event and did not belong to Bumba Land," And pledged to prevent similar incidents in the future.