Haredi Party Leader Slams Finance Minister Smotrich as Arrogant and Foolish
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Asher claimed Smotrich's appointment as finance minister was due to Haredi backing and that Smotrich advanced his own agenda while Haredi parties compromised. The dispute follows Smotrich's controversial remarks about Haredi Jews and Rabbi Dov Lando, and comes amid ongoing tensions over Haredi conscription.
The story in 3 lines · by baba
- Asher claimed Smotrich became Finance Minister due to Haredi support, not merit.
- The criticism follows Smotrich's controversial remarks about Haredi Jews and Rabbi Dov Lando.
- Tensions are high amid ongoing disagreements over the conscription of Haredi men.
Speaking at the "Olam Katan" election conference on Sunday, Asher accused his former coalition partner of arrogance and ignoring the support he received from Haredi parties over the years.
"He's been talking too much lately, talking nonsense," Asher stated, referring to Smotrich's recent remarks. He criticized Smotrich's perceived lack of understanding regarding the Haredi community and his suggestion that prominent Haredi figures should repent. Asher also questioned Smotrich's appointment as Finance Minister, asserting it was due to Haredi support rather than merit. He claimed that while Smotrich advanced his party's agenda, Haredi parties repeatedly compromised, "swallowing many frogs."
The dispute between the two is not new. Smotrich had previously called Haredi Jews "ungrateful to God" and expressed hope that Rabbi Dov Lando, a leading Haredi figure, would repent, which caused an uproar in the Haredi public.
Asher, who recently became chairman of Degel HaTorah, had previously criticized Smotrich for needing to ally with Moshe Feiglin to pass the electoral threshold. Asher also claimed that Haredi parties supported Smotrich's settlement policies but received little help in return for their own priorities, facing resistance from professional ranks.
The tension surfaces amid ongoing disagreements over the conscription of Haredi men. Smotrich, in a recent interview, warned that Haredi parties might engage in "public auctions" after the elections but still considers them important partners for the national camp's agenda.
It remains to be seen if this public spat will impact future coalition negotiations.
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