Finance Minister Warns Rabbis: Yeshivas Not Immune to Political Upheaval
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich warned Hesder Yeshiva leaders that their institutions and the settlement enterprise are vulnerable to political shifts. Speaking at an annual conference in Jerusalem, he cited past government actions against Hesder Yeshivas and current threats to right-wing media and construction in Judea and Samaria. Smotrich expressed concern that a potential government including Eizenkot and Abbas could dismantle years of work. The Hesder Yeshiva Union honored Smotrich and KKL Chairman Eyal Ostrovsky for their support.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich warned Hesder Yeshiva leaders of political vulnerability.
- He cited past government attempts to cut Hesder Yeshiva budgets.
- Smotrich expressed concern over potential political threats to settlements and right-wing media.
- He warned against a potential government involving Eizenkot and Abbas.
- The Hesder Yeshiva Union honored Smotrich and KKL Chairman Eyal Ostrovsky.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich warned over 50 heads of Hesder Yeshivas at their annual conference in Jerusalem that their institutions, along with the settlement enterprise and farms in Judea and Samaria, are not immune to political change. "Anyone who thinks that the settlement enterprise, the farms in Judea and Samaria, and the Hesder Yeshivas and preparatory programs are immune to political upheaval is invited to remember what we have already seen," Smotrich stated, referencing past attempts by the "Change Government" to harm Hesder Yeshiva budgets. He recalled the "absolute freeze policy" of former Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli and noted current discussions about closing right-wing media outlets, removing officials, and freezing construction in Judea and Samaria. Smotrich also expressed concern that the idea of a Palestinian state, discussed by figures like Golan and Eizenkot, could lead to the destruction of years of work if a government including Eizenkot and Abbas were to be formed. The Hesder Yeshiva Union honored Smotrich and KKL Chairman Eyal Ostrovsky for their contributions to religious Zionism and the Hesder Yeshiva movement, particularly KKL's support for construction and renovation projects in dozens of yeshivas. The two received a special gift: a mezuzah case made from basalt collected in the Golan Heights.
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