Haredi Panel Slams Bennett, Smotrich; Discusses Draft Law, Sephardic Votes
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
A Haredi news panel sharply criticized former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for their recent remarks about the Haredi community and its leaders. The discussion, held two weeks before an election, also covered the contentious draft law, with MK Yaakov Asher stating United Torah Judaism will not join a government without a resolution for yeshiva students. Panelists debated potential coalition options and the risk of losing young voters to Itamar Ben-Gvir's party, concluding that voter apathy poses the biggest threat.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Haredi panelists strongly condemned Naftali Bennett's criticism of Rabbi Dov Landau as hateful and politically motivated.
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich faced backlash for calling the Haredi public "ungrateful" and praying for Rabbi Landau's "repentance."
- MK Yaakov Asher declared United Torah Judaism will not join a government without a draft law resolution for yeshiva students.
- Panelists debated whether Haredi parties could join a left-wing government for a draft law solution.
- The potential loss of young Sephardic and Haredi votes to Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit was discussed.
- Voter apathy, not vote diversion, was identified as the primary threat to Haredi parties in the upcoming election.
A panel discussion on the Kikar Hashabbat news outlet, held two weeks before an election, featured sharp criticism of former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Bennett's recent remarks against Rabbi Dov Landau, a prominent Lithuanian Haredi leader, were described as driven by hatred and a political ploy to gain votes. Panelists accused Bennett of hypocrisy, recalling his past embrace of the Haredi community.
Smotrich also faced strong backlash for stating the Haredi public is "ungrateful to God" and praying for Rabbi Landau's "repentance." Panelists called his comments arrogant and disconnected from reality, questioning his stance on the success of the Zionist project given the number of secular individuals from religious Zionist backgrounds. They also pointed out his contradiction in warning against angering Torah scholars while attacking Rabbi Landau.
The panel also debated the draft law and the Haredi parties' stance on entering a government. MK Yaakov Asher stated that United Torah Judaism would not join a coalition without a concrete arrangement for yeshiva students. While some suggested Haredi parties might consider a left-wing government for a draft solution, others argued their historical experience, particularly with Shas in the Rabin government, makes a right-wing coalition their only option. One panelist argued that true change requires judicial reform and the dismissal of the Attorney General, as the Supreme Court has been the primary obstacle to draft laws.
Discussion also touched on the potential loss of young Sephardic and Haredi votes to Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party. While one panelist suggested Ben-Gvir is perceived as a protector of the Haredi public against perceived injustices, another emphasized the continued adherence to halachic rulings of Sephardic leaders like the late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. The panel concluded that the greatest threat to Haredi parties in the upcoming election is voter apathy, leading to low turnout, rather than a significant shift in votes. A segment on the lack of Haredi women in the Knesset, sparked by a viral TikTok video, was also featured.
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