Former PM Bennett Proposes Harsh Economic Measures Against Ultra-Orthodox Communities

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has sparked outrage within the ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) community by publishing a political article on the Srugim website, labeling the observant Haredi public as the "most severe existential threat to Israel's future." Released on the eve of Tisha B'Av, a day of mourning, Bennett's article proposes a drastic plan aimed at dismantling Haredi Torah and educational institutions.

Bennett calls for an immediate crackdown on what he terms the "autonomous Haredi state" by cutting financial support to families where men neither work nor serve in the military. His plan includes removing subsidies for daycare, housing benefits under the "Price for Residents" program, and property tax discounts for these families. He argues that stopping funding is a non-violent alternative to military action, stating, "No tanks in Bnei Brak... those who do not work or serve will not receive a shekel."

A senior figure from the Haredi political parties condemned Bennett's proposals as cruel and divisive, accusing him of exploiting the national mourning period to incite hatred and economic hardship against Haredi families. The official described Bennett's slogan "Not Zionist - Not on My Account" as a moral disgrace that divides citizens politically and vowed to resist any interference in the pure Haredi education system.

Bennett also advocates for a unified state education system mandating 60% core curriculum including mathematics, English, civics, and Zionism, threatening to cut funding to non-state schools while increasing budgets for state-Haredi schools. The Haredi leadership rejects this as spiritual genocide and an unprecedented intrusion, pledging unified opposition to attempts to impose secular studies on their Torah institutions.

Despite Bennett's claim of caring for the Haredi community and blaming political leadership for their isolation, the Haredi source dismissed this as condescending and hypocritical. They emphasized their loyalty to Torah values and predicted that the Haredi way of life will endure long after Bennett's political plans are forgotten.