Akiva Novik Says Public Anger at Haredim Is Growing After Draft Protests

Here is Radio's Akiva Novik said Thursday evening that hostility toward Haredim in Israel is rising because, in his view, the community has brought it on itself. Writing on social media, he said the feeling has become more than anger or offense, calling it a “boiling, burning hatred” and “deep disgust” toward a public group.

Novik tied his comments to the recent Haredi protests against military conscription, which have escalated from demonstrations into widespread road blockages and large rallies against the arrest of draft evaders. He argued that the anger would be less severe if Haredim showed they genuinely understood the burden faced by others and intended to share it.

Later on Thursday, Haredi activists held a car protest against the draft laws. Hundreds of vehicles drove slowly on major highways, causing heavy traffic on Route 1, Route 4 and Route 6. Novik said the problem worsens whenever Haredi public representatives repeat, in his words, false claims that they do not enlist because “the army is not ready,” that the State of Israel persecutes Torah study, or that there is agreement on drafting boys from the margins.

He added that each time “pure Torah scholars” riot in the streets or take their so-called “between the holidays” break, the hatred intensifies. Novik concluded that, sadly and painfully, this hatred is becoming “more and more justified.”