Haredi Politician Compares Situation to Holocaust, Calls Being a Terrorist Preferable
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Eliyahu Stark, a designated Knesset Member for United Torah Judaism, compared the Haredi sector's situation to the Holocaust and stated it's better to be a terrorist in Israel than Haredi. His comments highlight deep internal divisions within the UTJ faction, particularly the Gur Hasidic community's delayed voting directive. This internal strife, stemming from a recent party split, could impact the list's electoral support, especially given the Gur community's significant voting power.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Designated MK Eliyahu Stark compared the Haredi situation to the Holocaust and called being a terrorist preferable.
- Stark's remarks were made amid significant internal tensions within the United Torah Judaism faction.
- The Gur Hasidic community has not yet issued a directive for its followers to vote for UTJ.
- Internal divisions stem from a split where Meir Porush and Stark formed a new party within UTJ.
- The Gur community's estimated 30,000 votes are crucial for the UTJ list's success.
Eliyahu Stark, a designated Knesset Member representing the Belz Hasidic community within the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) faction, issued a strong condemnation of the Israeli government on Thursday. Stark drew a parallel between the situation of Jews during the Holocaust and the current circumstances of the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) sector in Israel. "There is no other definition. Our situation is close to what happened in the Holocaust. It reminds me of stories from our grandfathers and grandmothers," he stated.
Stark further asserted that in Israel, it is preferable to be a terrorist than a Haredi Jew. He argued that a terrorist who murders entire families would have their wife protected, their home and housing not seized, and their national insurance budget maintained. "This is better than being a Haredi Jew," he declared.
The remarks come amid significant internal tensions within the UTJ faction. The Gur Hasidic community has not yet issued an directive from its Rebbe for its followers to vote for UTJ. Campaign preparations on the ground are minimal, with no election headquarters established by the Hasidic group and little mention of the upcoming elections in the "HaModia" newspaper.
These internal divisions stem from a split in the Agudat Yisrael party shortly before the list submission deadline. Meir Porush and Eliyahu Stark broke away from the main group to form a new party within the UTJ list. This move has ignited a dispute over the allocation of future Knesset positions. The Gur Hasidic community's electoral influence is estimated at approximately 30,000 votes, making the Rebbe's directive crucial for the list's support. Concerns exist within the Netanyahu bloc that a lack of clear guidance could diminish the support the list receives from the Gur community.
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