Haredi MK Yaakov Asher Defies Party, Appears on Shabbat Broadcast
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
United Torah Judaism Chairman Yaakov Asher appeared on Channel 12's "Meet the Press" on Saturday, becoming the only coalition representative on the program. His participation, which began before Shabbat ended, drew severe criticism from within the Haredi public and his own party for allegedly violating Shabbat sanctity. Despite calls to cancel, Asher proceeded with the interview, though he did cancel a separate planned appearance on Channel 14.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yaakov Asher appeared on Channel 12's "Meet the Press" on Saturday, the sole coalition representative.
- The broadcast began before the end of Shabbat, sparking backlash from the Haredi community.
- Senior figures in United Torah Judaism called Asher's participation a "disgrace and desecration of Shabbat."
- Asher's party, United Torah Judaism, emphasizes the sanctity of Shabbat as a core value.
- Asher canceled a separate interview on Channel 14 due to the controversy.
Yaakov Asher, Chairman of the United Torah Judaism party, became the sole coalition representative to appear on the Channel 12 program "Meet the Press" on Saturday, despite significant public backlash and internal party criticism. The broadcast began before the end of Shabbat, a move that drew sharp condemnation from within the Haredi community and his own party.
While other coalition members, including Aryeh Deri and Itamar Ben-Gvir, reportedly denied plans to participate, Asher proceeded with his interview. His decision was met with accusations of betraying his constituents and undermining the sanctity of Shabbat, a core value of his party. Critics argued that even if the interview was filmed before Shabbat, its broadcast commenced while Shabbat was still being observed, thereby legitimizing a program that violates Shabbat.
The controversy erupted on Thursday when Asher's planned appearance was revealed. His associates claimed the interview was filmed on Friday and scheduled to air after Shabbat concluded, but this explanation did not quell the criticism. Opponents emphasized that the issue was not merely the timing of the filming or broadcast, but the very act of a Haredi party leader participating in a program that starts its broadcast before Shabbat ends.
Senior figures within United Torah Judaism voiced strong disapproval. One senior official described Asher's participation as a "disgrace and desecration of the holy Shabbat," urging the cancellation of the interview and warning of the implications for hundreds of thousands of observant Jews. The Gur Hasidic community and the Haredi Public party, led by Moti Lightner, also issued harsh criticism, accusing Asher of desecrating God's name and harming the values his party represents.
In response to the controversy, Asher canceled a planned interview for Saturday evening on Channel 14's "The Patriots." However, his participation in the "Meet the Press" program, which sparked the public outcry, remained unchanged.
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