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Ultra-Orthodox Candidate Sparks Outrage With Holocaust Comparison
Elyakim Stark, an incoming United Torah Judaism Knesset candidate representing the Belz Hasidic community, has drawn widespread condemnation after comparing the situation of Haredi men evading military service to the Holocaust. Speaking at a rally in Beit Shemesh, Stark stated that travel restrictions on draft evaders, which hinder marriage arrangements for those with families abroad, reminded him of stories his grandparents told about the Holocaust era.
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What happened
- 01Incoming United Torah Judaism candidate Elyakim Stark compared travel restrictions on Haredi draft evaders to the Holocaust.
- 02Stark stated at a Beit Shemesh rally that the situation reminded him of stories told by his grandparents.
- 03The 34-year-old candidate is slated to replace MK Yisrael Eichler on the party's Knesset slate.
- 04Stark accused Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg of fostering hostility toward the ultra-Orthodox community.
- 05Stark controversially claimed that in Israel, it is better to be a terrorist who kills families than to be Haredi.
- 06Political figures Avigdor Lieberman and Ofer Winter sharply condemned Stark's remarks ahead of the October 27 election.
- 07Deputy Minister Yisrael Eichler suggested at the same rally that Haredim might lose their voting rights in the future.
Stark, who is slated to replace MK Yisrael Eichler on the party's slate, also targeted the judiciary during his speech. He accused Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg of fostering hostility toward the ultra-Orthodox community, coining the term "Sohlbergism" to describe an encouragement to target Haredim. Stark went on to claim that in Israel, it is better to be a terrorist who kills entire families than to be Haredi.
The remarks, made ahead of the October 27 election, sparked immediate political outrage. Opponents including Avigdor Lieberman and Ofer Winter condemned the statements, with Winter calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak out. During the same rally, Deputy Minister Yisrael Eichler also suggested that Haredim might be stripped of their voting rights in future elections.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 4 newsrooms. Updated
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- LeftNone
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- Right1
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Ultra-Orthodox Candidate Sparks Outrage With Holocaust Comparison
