UTJ Candidate Sparks Outrage With Holocaust Comparison
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Elyakim Stark, a candidate for United Torah Judaism, ignited controversy by comparing the detention of Haredi draft dodgers to the Holocaust. He argued that Israel is a miracle and the answer to the Holocaust, not the event itself, and that Haredim should not be ungrateful. The remarks, published by Channel 14, come amid protests against the draft law and criticism from Haredi parties.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- UTJ candidate Elyakim Stark compared Haredi draft dodger detentions to the Holocaust.
- Stark stated Israel is a miracle and the answer to the Holocaust, not the event itself.
- He argued Haredim should not be ungrateful to the state that provides extensive Torah study.
- The remarks were published by Channel 14 reporter Yehuda Schlesinger.
- The controversy occurs amid protests against the Haredi draft law.
Elyakim Stark, a candidate for the United Torah Judaism party, has drawn widespread criticism for comparing the detention of draft-dodging Haredim to the Holocaust. Stark argued that unlike Holocaust victims who faced expulsion orders and lacked a state, modern Haredim have a country, an army, and a flag. He stated that Israel is a miracle and the answer to the Holocaust, not the Holocaust itself. Stark's remarks, made in the context of protests against the draft law, were published by Channel 14 reporter Yehuda Schlesinger.
Schlesinger, in his report, emphasized that while it is permissible to protest the draft law and disagree with the High Court of Justice (Bagatz), it is unacceptable to be ungrateful to the state. He highlighted that Israel provides more yeshivas, kollels, and Torah scholars than any generation since the destruction of the Temple. Stark's comments also included a rhetorical question about whether it is better to be a terrorist, noting that terrorists' homes are destroyed in Israel, while the state has provided unprecedented opportunities for Torah study.
The controversy comes amid broader criticism from Haredi parties regarding the detention of draft dodgers. Schlesinger concluded by asserting that Israel is a strong, victorious Jewish and Zionist state, representing the beginning of redemption, and those who do not see this should leave or refrain from seeking Knesset seats.
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