This article was originally published by the IMEMC and is republished with permission.

Three Palestinian employees working at an Israeli factory in Acre, manufacturing parts for camions, were fired last Monday for holding prayers at the factory. Acre, also known as Akka, is located on the northern end of Haifa bay in northern Israel.

The three employees identified as Adnan Jamil, Fayez Aradat, and Samer Taha, said they received letters from the administration informing them that they are fired because "there are deduction and cutbacks at the factory".

Meanwhile, Adnan stated that several days before receiving the letter, he was praying with Fayez and Samer, and that the manager saw them and stood close to them until they finished their prayers, then informed them that they were fired.

The three workers stated that the manager told them the he does not want to see anyone praying at the factory.

Aradat, 50, and a father of four children, stated that the he and his two colleagues told the manager that they are willing to have only 15 minutes for food and 15 minutes for prayers but he rejected the offer and told them "If you get tired, you can go and smoke a cigarette, but prayers, no".