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Israeli Lawmaker Blames Knesset Speaker's Sexuality for Government Failures
In a podcast interview for the Haredi publication Mishpacha, United Torah Judaism MK Yitzhak Pindrus criticized the appointment of Amir Ohana as Knesset Speaker, calling it a desecration of God's name and linking it to the government's lack of divine assistance. Pindrus suggested that the decision to support Ohana, who is openly gay, was a heavenly mishap that has carried a price.
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What happened
- 01MK Yitzhak Pindrus called the appointment of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana a desecration of God's name that cost the government divine assistance.
- 02Pindrus made the controversial remarks during a podcast interview for the Haredi publication Mishpacha on Thursday.
- 03Political commentator Daphna Liel and others interpreted Pindrus's statements as a direct critique of Ohana's sexual orientation.
- 04Pindrus stated that any future appointments of a similar nature must be approved by senior rabbinical authorities.
- 05In June 2023, Pindrus previously claimed that LGBTQ+ issues and licentiousness were more dangerous to Israel than Hamas, Hezbollah, and ISIS.
- 06Pindrus clarified that United Torah Judaism's support for future coalitions is conditional on arranging the status of yeshiva students.
Pindrus, who was not a Knesset member at the time of the vote, stated that any future appointments of this nature must be brought before senior rabbis for approval. He added that he would not have allowed the appointment to proceed had he been consulted, and deferred questions regarding Ohana's potential appointment to other roles, such as Foreign Minister, to rabbinical authorities.
The remarks have sparked controversy and renewed debate over the tension between Haredi religious values and LGBTQ+ rights in Israel. Commentators, including Daphna Liel, interpreted Pindrus's statements as a homophobic critique of Ohana's sexual orientation. Pindrus has previously drawn criticism for controversial remarks regarding the LGBTQ+ community, including a June 2023 claim that licentiousness posed a greater danger to Israel than the terrorist organizations ISIS, Hezbollah, and Hamas.
Additionally, Pindrus clarified that his party's support for future government coalitions is not guaranteed. He stated that United Torah Judaism's commitment to any bloc remains conditional on resolving the legal status of yeshiva students.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated
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Israeli Lawmaker Blames Knesset Speaker's Sexuality for Government Failures
