MK Milvitsky Blasts Attorney General as 'Cursed Woman' Over Ultra-Orthodox Funding Dispute
As the turbulent summer Knesset session nears its end, the rift between Israel's elected officials and the judiciary has intensified. In a radio interview on "Eight Zero Zero" with Yaki Edmeker and Israel Cohen on Kol Barama, Finance Committee Chairman and MK Hanoch Milvitsky strongly defended ultra-Orthodox partners, labeling the current crisis a deliberate political persecution. He accused Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara of targeting the ultra-Orthodox community with the intent to discourage their electoral participation, calling her "a cursed, terrible woman" who harms children and the vulnerable and warning she will be held accountable for the damage caused.
Milvitsky dismissed claims that the conflict stems from legitimate issues related to military conscription laws, instead framing it as a political campaign against Torah scholars. He criticized the Attorney General for allegedly fabricating accusations against reservists during wartime and asserted that the judicial system opposes a right-wing government. He also condemned coalition appeals to the Supreme Court for relief, calling such moves strategic errors and emphasizing that the battle is against the ultra-Orthodox establishment to weaken it financially.
Highlighting perceived double standards, Milvitsky noted that funding scrutiny targets ultra-Orthodox organizations while universities and groups allegedly hostile to state security face no similar review. He revealed attempts to bypass legal restrictions to approve funding for ultra-Orthodox nonprofits were blocked by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and the Tax Authority head. Milvitsky criticized Smotrich for not supporting his coalition partners more forcefully.
On the importance of Torah study, Milvitsky stressed it as vital to the Jewish state's continuity and condemned efforts to extinguish it. Regarding the Supreme Court's annulment of the internal State Comptroller election due to suspicions of vote photographing, he called the Likud's willingness to hold a re-vote a humiliating surrender and vowed to defy any such decision by again photographing his vote behind the curtain.
Finally, addressing the anticipated October 20 election date, Milvitsky dismissed concerns about campaigning during the memorial day for the October 7 massacre, accusing the left of politicizing national ceremonies and affirming his commitment to defend Torah and the Jewish people regardless of others' actions.
