Israeli News Program Tackles Haredi Community's Safety, Politics, and Women's Representation
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
An Israeli current affairs program addressed safety concerns in the Haredi community after a child's death, revealing that many schools refuse safety education. The show also exposed political parties funding Haredi WhatsApp groups for influence. A journalist highlighted the lack of Haredi women in the Knesset and the harassment faced by female activists. An analyst warned of voter apathy before elections, and a comedian shared humorous anecdotes.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Haredi children are three times more likely to die in accidents than the general population.
- Many Haredi schools refuse to teach safety programs, citing a focus solely on religious studies.
- Political parties pay monthly retainers to Haredi WhatsApp groups, compromising their impartiality.
- Activists advocating for Haredi women's representation in the Knesset faced harassment and water-throwing.
- A new concept of 'Aninut,' apathy combined with complacency, is identified as a danger to elections.
- A comedian shared humorous stories, including a man who joined his own search party in Canada.
The Israeli current affairs program "Davar HaShavua" on Kikar HaShabbat, hosted by Moshe Mans, featured a particularly intense episode addressing critical issues within the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community. Mans opened with a poignant monologue following the tragic death of a 10-year-old boy in Beitar Illit, who was killed by shrapnel from a deodorant can igniting in a bonfire. He criticized the community's tendency to blame external authorities rather than acknowledging internal safety failures, highlighting that Haredi children are three times more likely to die in accidents than the general population. Mans also revealed that many Haredi schools, or "cheiderim," refused to implement safety education programs, citing a sole focus on religious studies or fear of peer judgment.
Political commentator Yossi Ben Atar exposed the financial ties between political parties and Haredi WhatsApp groups, stating that parties like Shas, United Torah Judaism, and even figures like Naftali Bennett and Itamar Ben Gvir pay monthly retainers to these groups. He asserted that this funding compromises the groups' impartiality, preventing the publication of any critical information about the paying parties. Ben Atar and Mans also made a public bet, with the loser agreeing to undergo an ice bath challenge live on air, concerning whether Gur Hasidim would vote for United Torah Judaism.
Journalist Dana Betzalel discussed a recent initiative that sparked controversy in Haredi cities, particularly Modi'in Illit, where women set up informational booths. This led to harassment and the pouring of water on the activists, with chants of "you are destroying education." Betzalel questioned the lack of Haredi women in the Knesset, arguing they could serve as crucial advocates for issues like child protection, the exploitation of teachers, and domestic violence, noting that three Haredi women were murdered in the last term with little media attention.
Analyst Ariel Shafer introduced the concept of "Aninut" (apathy + complacency) as a significant danger to the upcoming elections, drawing parallels to the low voter turnout in 2006 that led to the rise of the Kadima party. He warned that public indifference could result in undesirable governments. Shafer also hinted at a potential future in politics, suggesting he might consider entering the Knesset.
The program concluded with comedian Yossi Chaim Maimon's humorous segment, which included a story about a Turkish citizen who went missing in Canada and joined his own search party, and a family in Kfar Saba who found a screw in their pizza.
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