Haredi Official Sparks Outrage Comparing Ultra-Orthodox Plight to Holocaust

Elyakim Stark, the incoming representative for the Belz Hasidic dynasty in the United Torah Judaism party, has ignited a political firestorm with inflammatory remarks comparing the treatment of the ultra-Orthodox community to the persecution of Jews during the Holocaust. Speaking at a campaign event in Beit Shemesh, Stark asserted that the situation for Haredim in Israel is worse than that of terrorists, stating, "It is better to be a terrorist in the State of Israel and kill entire families than to be Haredi." He also criticized the judicial system, particularly Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, accusing him of promoting a phenomenon of "Sohlbergism" that targets the Haredi public.

Stark's comments were made in the context of the ongoing controversy surrounding the military draft law and travel bans imposed on yeshiva students. He claimed that Haredim face significant obstacles, even when trying to engage in international business, suggesting a lack of freedom. "When you want to arrange a business deal from abroad, you have to come here because you can't," he stated, implying restrictions on their ability to operate freely.

Outgoing Deputy Minister Israel Eichler, also present at the event, echoed the harsh sentiment, expressing concern that this might be the last election in which Haredim are allowed to vote. The remarks drew swift condemnation from various political figures. Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, lambasted the coalition, calling Stark's statements "horrific" and accusing him of equating draft dodgers with Holocaust victims. He declared, "On 10/27, the decision will be made: it's either us, or the draft dodgers!"

The "Am Israel" party, led by Ofer Winter, also issued a strong denunciation, labeling Stark's comments a "disgrace" and criticizing the Prime Minister and government officials for their silence on what they called "horrific calls" against the IDF at protests by the Jerusalem Faction. Winter's party urged the Haredi public to disavow Stark's statements and called on the Prime Minister to condemn them immediately, decrying the "sheepish silence."

The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of unprecedented unrest within the Haredi street ahead of the elections, fueled by deep frustration over the yeshiva draft issue. Recent protests have seen vocal dissent, with some demonstrators expressing a preference for voting for Arab parties over Haredi ones. Stark has also been involved in significant political maneuvering, recently visiting the Vizhnitz Center Rebbe to secure a political alliance that could disrupt the internal balance of power within Agudat Yisrael.