Finance Minister Smotrich Criticizes Haredi Public, Questions Religious Zionism's Compromises
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sharply criticized the Haredi public, calling them ungrateful and questioning the viability of being Haredi today. He also prayed for Rabbi Yitzhak Landau to repent. Smotrich's remarks highlight deep ideological rifts and follow a period where his party reportedly made concessions to Haredi demands. The comments may be an attempt to boost his poll numbers ahead of future elections.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the Haredi public ungrateful and questioned how one can be Haredi today.
- Smotrich expressed a sharp dispute with the Haredi community over their attitude towards the state and redemption.
- He personally prayed for Rabbi Yitzhak Landau, Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka, to repent.
- The minister's comments reflect ongoing tensions between Religious Zionism and the Haredi community.
- Smotrich's statements follow his party's perceived concessions to Haredi demands on religion and state issues.
- The article suggests Smotrich's shift might be an attempt to improve his standing in opinion polls.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich launched a sharp attack on the Haredi public and Rabbi Yitzhak Landau, the Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka in Bnei Brak. Speaking at a conference for his Religious Zionist Party this week, Smotrich declared, "I think Haredim are ungrateful to God and we have a sharp dispute with them regarding their attitude towards the state and the processes of redemption." He further elaborated, "I don't understand how one can be Haredi today. The Zionist enterprise is succeeding, is there greater proof of redemption?"
Smotrich's remarks highlighted a deep ideological gap between the Religious Zionist and Haredi approaches to the State of Israel and its theological significance. Addressing Rabbi Landau personally, Smotrich stated at a Channel 7 conference, "I will pray that he repents." These comments reflect ongoing tensions between Religious Zionism and the Haredi community on fundamental issues concerning the state's status and the concept of redemption.
The minister's statements come after a period where Smotrich's party reportedly conceded almost unconditionally to Haredi demands on religion and state matters. Likud MK Moshe Saada claimed that Smotrich's deal with Shas prevented the election of a Religious Zionist Chief Rabbi. Smotrich and his party faced significant criticism from the Religious Zionist public for passing the Torah Study Basic Law, the draft law, and especially for the continued Haredi draft evasion, even after three years of war. MKs Ofir Sofer and Moshe Solomon, who voted against the draft law, were dismissed from the party and are not running in the next Knesset.
The article questions Smotrich's sudden shift to an anti-Haredi stance, suggesting it might be an attempt to improve his poll numbers. It raises the question of whether Haredi parties will forgive him for these statements in the next government, recalling that Smotrich was outside the coalition in the Netanyahu-Gantz government while the Haredim were included.
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