Israeli TV Host Distinguishes Between Haredi and Arab Parties
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Israeli TV host Moriah Asraf argued that Haredi parties are not anti-Zionist and can be coalition partners, unlike Arab parties. She believes Haredi parties can be engaged in governance, while Arab parties in their current form cannot. Her comments on Channel 13 sparked significant backlash on social media, which she dismissed as "idiotic."
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- TV host Moriah Asraf differentiated between Haredi and Arab parties regarding coalition potential.
- Asraf stated Haredi parties are not anti-Zionist and can be government partners.
- She argued Arab parties, in their current form, cannot be coalition partners.
- Asraf cited statements from senior Arab party members as evidence for her distinction.
- Her remarks on Channel 13 drew sharp criticism and accusations of racism online.
- Asraf dismissed the online criticism as "idiotic" on her Instagram story.
Israeli TV host Moriah Asraf stated on Thursday that Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties are fundamentally different from Arab parties, arguing that the former are not anti-Zionist and can be partners in a government coalition, unlike the latter in their current form. Asraf, co-hosting "Moriah and Berkovich" on Channel 13 with Eyal Berkovich, addressed the common question of why Haredi parties are counted with Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc while Arab parties are not included with the "change bloc." She asserted there is a clear distinction, explaining that while she has significant criticism of the Haredi public and parties, they can be engaged in governance and national efforts. In contrast, she suggested that with Arab parties in their present configuration, such collaboration is not possible, citing statements made by senior members of Arab parties as evidence.
Asraf expressed a desire for a government that excludes individuals who do not encourage military service, but immediately qualified this by stating, "the Haredi parties are not anti-Zionist parties." She believes that statements made by senior figures in Arab parties, which she implied are more extreme than those from Haredi parties, support her distinction. Her comments sparked considerable backlash on social media, with one user accusing her of racism and homophobia for not counting Arab party mandates and potentially excluding other groups in the future. Asraf responded to the criticism on her Instagram story, calling the user's comment "the most idiotic of them all" after reading numerous foolish reactions online.
