Minister Ze'ev Elkin Accuses Israeli Center-Left of Ideological Hatred Toward Haredi Community

Minister Ze'ev Elkin, a member of Israel's Security Cabinet, launched a sharp critique against the center-left political factions on Monday, accusing them of turning opposition to the Haredi community into an ideological stance. In an exclusive interview with Kikar HaShabbat, Elkin stated that hatred toward the Haredi world, particularly the Torah study sector, has become a fundamental part of the center-left's ideology. He argued that this animosity is used to rally opposition against Prime Minister Netanyahu and the right-wing, with the Haredim portrayed as a central issue.

Elkin also addressed the potential for cooperation between Haredi parties and Gadi Eizenkot's Yisrael party, expressing skepticism about finding a consensus on the contentious military conscription law. He questioned whether any draft law could satisfy the Haredi parties, Avigdor Liberman's Yisrael Beiteinu, and Yair Lapid simultaneously.

His remarks come amid a heated political debate surrounding the Basic Law on Torah Study, which was recently passed in its second and third readings, alongside ongoing discussions about the military draft law. Notably, Avigdor Liberman has declared that his party will not join a coalition including Shas and insists on a "draft law for all." Elkin emphasized that the center-left's campaign heavily focuses on opposition to the Haredi community and their way of life, framing it as a core element of their political messaging.