Ultra-Orthodox Candidate Compares Haredi Draft Issues to Holocaust
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
Eliakim Stark, a candidate for the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party, compared the situation of Haredi men facing military draft notices to the Holocaust. He stated that these individuals risk detention at Ben Gurion Airport, preventing them from traveling abroad. Stark also claimed that convicted terrorists receive better social protections than Haredi draft evaders. The comments were made at a campaign event in Beit Shemesh.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Eliakim Stark, a candidate for United Torah Judaism, compared the Haredi draft situation to the Holocaust.
- Stark stated Haredi men risk detention at Ben Gurion Airport, hindering travel for matchmaking.
- He claimed convicted terrorists have better social protections than Haredi draft evaders.
- Stark criticized Deputy Supreme Court Chairman Noam Solberg.
- Long-time MK Yisrael Eichler expressed fears of Haredi voters being disenfranchised.
Eliakim Stark, a candidate for the ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism, has drawn controversy by comparing the situation of religious Jews facing military conscription in Israel to the Holocaust. Speaking at a campaign event in Beit Shemesh, Stark focused on the plight of young Haredi men who have received draft notices. He stated that these individuals risk detention at Ben Gurion Airport, preventing them from leaving the country, including for meetings with potential brides abroad as part of traditional matchmaking.
Stark, who is 34, Belgian-born, and represents the Belz Hasidic dynasty, is ranked sixth on the United Torah Judaism list. He claimed that while he previously avoided such comparisons, the current circumstances strongly resemble the stories he heard from his grandparents about the Holocaust. The party typically aims for at least eight parliamentary seats.
In addition to his Holocaust comparison, Stark criticized Noam Solberg, the Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court and head of the Central Election Commission. Stark asserted that a convicted terrorist in Israel currently enjoys greater protection regarding social benefits and housing for their family than a Haredi draft evader.
Stark is replacing long-time Knesset member Yisrael Eichler, who also spoke at the event, expressing concern that ultra-Orthodox citizens might soon be barred from voting.
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