Haredi Representative Sparks Outrage Comparing Ultra-Orthodox Plight to Holocaust
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Eliakim Stark, a designated representative for the Belz Hasidic community, has caused a political uproar by comparing the treatment of ultra-Orthodox Jews to the Holocaust and stating that terrorists are better off than Haredim. His remarks, made at a campaign event, also criticized the judicial system. The comments were condemned by politicians like Avigdor Lieberman and Ofer Winter. The controversy highlights growing frustration within the Haredi community over the yeshiva draft issue.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Eliakim Stark, a Belz Hasidic representative, compared the ultra-Orthodox situation to the Holocaust and stated terrorists are better off.
- Stark's remarks were made at a campaign event in Beit Shemesh and criticized the judicial system.
- Outgoing Deputy Minister Yisrael Eichler also made sharp comments about Haredi voting rights.
- Avigdor Lieberman condemned Stark's statements, calling them "horror" and linking them to the upcoming election.
- Ofer Winter's "Am Yisrael" party called Stark's comments a "disgrace" and criticized government silence.
- The controversy occurs amid significant Haredi unrest over the yeshiva draft law.
Eliakim Stark, the incoming representative for the Belz Hasidic community in the United Torah Judaism party, has ignited a political firestorm with inflammatory remarks comparing the treatment of the ultra-Orthodox public to the persecution of Jews during the Holocaust. Stark, who is slated to replace MK Yisrael Eichler, stated during a campaign event in Beit Shemesh that the situation for Haredim is worse than that of terrorists in Israel. He cited the controversy surrounding the draft law and travel bans issued to yeshiva students as evidence of this perceived discrimination. "Our situation reminds me of our grandfathers' stories about the Holocaust," Stark declared, adding that "it is better to be a terrorist in the State of Israel and kill entire families than to be a Haredi."
Stark also criticized the judicial system, specifically Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, coining the term "Sohlbergism" to describe what he characterized as a trend of "hitting the Haredim to be more of a man." The remarks were made in the presence of Yisrael Eichler, who added his own sharp criticism, suggesting it might be the last time Haredim are allowed to vote in elections.
The comments drew swift condemnation from various political figures. Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, attacked the coalition, stating, "Horror! A representative of the United Torah Judaism party... explains that in the State of Israel 'it is better to be a terrorist'! And if that is not enough, he compared the situation of draft dodgers to Jews in the Holocaust. On 10/27 we decide: it's either us, or the draft dodgers!"
The "Am Yisrael" party, led by Ofer Winter, also issued a strong denunciation, calling Stark's statement a "disgrace to every Israeli and every Jew." The party linked Stark's remarks to the silence of the Prime Minister and senior government officials regarding what they termed "horrifying calls against the IDF" at protests by the Jerusalem Faction. They urged the Haredi public to disavow such statements and called for an immediate and severe condemnation from the Prime Minister and his ministers.
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of unprecedented unrest within the Haredi street ahead of the elections, marked by deep frustration over the yeshiva draft issue. Recent protests have seen harsh rhetoric, with one demonstrator reportedly stating a preference for voting for Arab parties over Haredi ones. Stark has also been involved in significant political maneuvering, recently securing a political cooperation agreement between the Vizhnitz Center Hasidic community and the Shlomei Emunim and Belz factions, altering the internal balance of power within Agudat Yisrael.
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