New Israeli Political Party Takes Hard Line On Haredim

Ehud Barak's Independence Party platform calls for getting ultra-Orthodox Jews out of full time yeshiva study and into the workforce.

 

According the Jerusalem Post, Defense Minister Ehud Barak's new political party has a platform that can be viewed as "anti-haredi."

Written by Independence Party faction head Einat Wilf, the platform says:

“The party will work to strengthen Israel economically by advancing initiatives that would increase the participation of Arab and haredi citizens in the work force, based on the principle that in a stable society there must be equal rights and duties.” [emphasis added by FailedMessiah. com.]

The Post also notes that the party's platform also calls for encouraging pluralism in Jewish culture and strengthening Israel’s connection with the Diaspora – two things that weaken haredi political power in Israel.

Comments

[A. Nuran]

Good. Not a moment too soon.

[Dan Daoust]

The first time an Israeli political party lets go of the stupid army hang-up and just lets the Haredim work from age 18 will be the first time an Israeli political party has said something sensible. In other words, don't hold your breath.

[Garnel Ironheart]

Don't hold your breath. Remember Shinui? How many elections did they do well in before disappearing into the ether?
Remember the Centre Party in the late 90's?
Barak is one election away from obscurity or a remerger with the Avodah.

[Shlomo]

Why is this called anti-chareidi it is actually very pro chareidi in assisting to get a parnassah participating in the real world that G-d created and fulfilling "six days you should work"

[Office of the Chief Rabbi]

Breaking News! Secular politicians develop balls!

[Loshon Hora]

This guy is a loser, just mouth & needs power.
He is from a Chareidi home he has no substance to offer & he knows he won't make it to parliament so he bashes.
It doesn't work, and has never worked.
He will be evicted from the Kneset & go down like Katzav, but Amsalem on the other hand who has that platform not as a bash will probably do very well.
Moshiach now.

[emmylou]

oh ye of little faith.. maybe he will do some good... ok?

[corn popper]

"based on the principle that in a stable society there must be equal rights and duties."

Confusing terminology.
Is the intent that everyone has the same type of job and/or responsibilities? An air force pilot and airplane maintenance person, although unequal in duty, contribute to the same cause and a stable society.

[Elli]

every election there are "anti-Haredi" parties that end up in bed with Shas just the same. The one I'm banking on to be different is R. Amsalem's new party, which will actually split Shas.

[a sinner]

hey failed ass wipe

[Jeff]

As my father would say, "Alevai!"

However, I'm afraid I agree with the naysayers on both sides of the fence - it won't happen, or it will be too little too late, to save Israel.

[seymour]

he does not have to make them work

just cut off funding, and if you refuse to join the army one can spend their time in jail

Hey when Moshe called for all men to fight he did not give an exemption to kollel guys

[masortiman]

its not a matter of little faith. If youve been following Israeli politics at all, you know that Barak has now completely alienated Avodah - its hard to see who exactly would vote for him - if you WANT a likud govt, just vote for Likud. Arguably he keeps Bibi "moderate" but while there may be SOME israelis who think that Bibi is more moderate because of the need to accommodate Barak (and not because of the need to accommodate Barack) well, there are probably alot more honest Chabad shlichim, tolerant satmars, machmir Reform, etc, etc than that. Its hard to see Barak him having a future in the Knesset past the next election, which he is desperately trying to defer.

[Loshon Hora]

he does not have to make them work

just cut off funding, and if you refuse to join the army one can spend their time in jail

Hey when Moshe called for all men to fight he did not give an exemption to kollel guys

Posted by: seymour | May 12, 2011 at 07:55 AM
Wrong So dead wrong
Shevet Levi were the kollel guys & exempt. Leard the old Testiment.

[David]

Why is this called anti-chareidi it is actually very pro chareidi in assisting to get a parnassah participating in the real world that G-d created and fulfilling "six days you should work"

Posted by: Shlomo | May 11, 2011 at 09:41 PM

What? The Charedim don't work because they don't WANT TO WORK, not because they are incapable of working, although they need to be forcibly educated in basic literacy and numeracy before they can fulfill this basic civil obligation.

Charedim would consider this "anti" to their parasitic cause because they do not believe in work because they don't observe Halacha. All they (the men) want to do all day is to drink, smoke and fart (they call it "learning") and make more babies (when they can eventually work out how to "do it" as they are uneducated in such matters as well).

[seymour]

Wrong So dead wrong
Shevet Levi were the kollel guys & exempt. Leard the old Testiment.

Posted by: Loshon Hora | May 12, 2011 at 09:20 AM

I did and know the old testament just direct me to where it is stated that they sat and learned and did not participate in the fighting or wars effort.

Pusak please

[Yoel Mechanic]

Is this the same Barak who is working so hard to give half our country away? Did he help to bring the Oslo Accords down on our head...to such great disaster? How can he be trying helping strengthen the connection of Jews (including diaspora) to the land when our inheritance is being treated like a bargaining chip? And instead of demonizing the chareidim, they too need to learn about the connection to the land just like all Jews. (Barak is not demonizing chareidim, i am referring only to those who actually engage in the demonizing. those of discriminating judgment will be able to recognize this)

[seymour]

to Loshon Hora

1. The pasuk says that the army should be taken from all of the shevatim, לכל מטות ישראל, Rashi comments on this from the Sifri, לרבות שבט לוי, Shevet Levi also sent out soldiers to fight against מדין.

Everyone always quotes the Rambam that Shevet Levi did not go out to war, however, he we see Rashi based on the Sifri, argues with the Rambam and says explicitly that Shevet Levi did go out to war like all the other shevatim.

again please show me where it says they did not go to war

[seymour]

to Loshon Hora

and even those who say they where exempt never said they sat in their home.

They did other stuff that needed to be done and even involved torah learning, they went out to the front line to learn and teach torah to the troops. Sort of like today an army chaplain.

So sitting in your house as today's kollel guys was not and never the norm

[ah-pee-chorus]

Is this the same Barak who is working so hard to give half our country away? ...

when our inheritance is being treated like a bargaining chip? ...Posted by: Yoel Mechanic

when you say half our country, are you referring to the west bank and gaza which israel never wanted to be part of 'our country'? is it the half that israel decided NOT to annex?

and please dont play the inheritance card with its theological implications. anybody can produce a book which shows whatever they like.

[seymour]

Is this the same Barak who is working so hard to give half our country away? ...

when our inheritance is being treated like a bargaining chip? ...Posted by: Yoel Mechanic

when you say half our country, are you referring to the west bank and gaza which israel never wanted to be part of 'our country'? is it the half that israel decided NOT to annex?

and please dont play the inheritance card with its theological implications. anybody can produce a book which shows whatever they like.

Posted by: ah-pee-chorus | May 12, 2011 at 12:49 PM

that's all they got

[alwaysright]

the hypocrisy of the right wing chareidi fundamentalists always baffles me, they refuse to give back the land stolen from the poor arabs, and refuse to serve in the military to defend the stolen land. let others get killed protecting the loot. you want it u fight for it

[ah-pee-chorus]

back the land stolen from the poor arabs,

it wasnt stolen.

[anti feinstein]

Reuven Feinstein is a shit-head

[Ergo Proxy]

@ alwaysright,

Then we should give back all the land we stole from the Native Americans.

[Adam Neira]

The State of Israel will need to work with Moshiach, his assistants and the Sanhedrin soon. Knesset Elections will change in tone and form for the better. The main issue now for the political parties is how the budget is allocated. The issue of how the state should position itself in the world has largely been decided.

[maven]

Adam, either proclaim yourself Messiah already or stop posting these ridiculous and meaningless statements.

[Adam Neira]

To maven,

G-d is the superset of all creation. As Maimonides explains in "Guide for the Perplexed" prophetic insight is given to certain people throughout history. The revelation of Moshiach as enunciated by the "Twelfth Article of Faith" unfolds over time. For the person anointed as the righteous redeemer/prince of peace/wise counsellor the process is interesting.

He will have inklings of his true purpose all throughout his life, but the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle will become clearer at certain specific times. The revelations will be intensely personal and private between G-d and himself. This will lead to feelings of surprise, wonder, awe, confusion, fear, anger, annoyance, lethargy, inspiration, invigoration and acceptance. He will learn how to orientate and position himself so as to best maximise his role and function in the service of the ultimate mission. He will be mis-interpreted by many people and will attract real hatred, envy, jealousy and vitriol. He will be very close to G-d. His power and influence will grow over time. G-d will assist him in his mission.

Hope this is of interest to you.

Shalom !

P.S. The only person who would know all this you would presume, is Moshiach.

[Friar Yid]

Sounds like they're channeling Shinui.

I know, they should join with Amsallem. Best case, he'll help their image and show they're actually not anti-Haredi. Worst case, at least all the questionably relevant "mavericks" will be mashed together into one party so people know who not to vote for.

(I actually like Amsallem but suspect his party will be a no-go. Barak can go jump in a lake.)

The only problem with politics is that it's full of politicians.