Haredi Kid's Paper Excludes Israeli Flag

A haredi children's newspaper published on the eve of Israel's Independence Day had a large illustrated feature on the flags of various countries and their symbolic meanings. But one flag was prominently missing: the flag of the country the children live in – Israel.

 

Haredi kids' paper shuns Israeli flag
On eve of Independence Day, article in ultra-Orthodox children's paper features flags of US, Soviet Union and even the lifeguard's banner – but avoids mentioning Israel
Ynet

On the eve of Independence Day, the Israeli flag seemed to adorn virtually every home and car across the country; but it was hardly mentioned in an article published that day in an ultra-Orthodox children's paper, which featured a thorough review of the flags of the world.

Last week's edition of the paper, Haverim ("Friends"), which accompanies the haredi weekly Bakehila (In the Community), included a feature focusing on the appearance, history and traditional use of flags from across the globe. The edge of the Israeli flag is shown on the article's first page, buried in a pile of banners from dozens of countries.

The feature explained that the 13 stripes on the American flag represent the original 13 colonies that settled the country and eventually declared independence from Britain, and that the stars represents the number of states in the union. The green background of the Brazilian flag, the author wrote, represents the rain forests; the gold represents the the South American country's precious metal and the 27 stars represent its number of states.

Soviet Union flag mentioned

The article even displayed the Soviet Union's flag, explaining that the hammer and sickle stand for the working class. Libya, Cyprus, Japan and the United Nations got special attention as well.

The author also described the ceremonial uses of the flags, saying that they are "displayed on top of state institutions, like courts, parliamentary buildings and police stations. Occasionally, we hear that a country has lowered its flag to half-mast." Eluding the symbolism of being published on Memorial Day, the Israeli flag got no mention.
 
Bakehila is not affiliated with any haredi movement. Like other media outlets in the ultra-Orthodox community, a committee of religious experts oversees its content; it appears as though Israel's white-and-blue banner raised a red flag among the editors.

"A supposedly moderate newspaper's exclusion of the flag is disgraceful and parallels some haredim's habit of dishonoring the Memorial Day siren," said Rabbi Uri Regev, who heads Hiddush, an organization that promotes religious freedom.

"Especially on the eve of Independence Day, the editors chose to thoroughly review the significance of every possible flag – including the lifeguard's banner – but to ignore the white and blue flag.

"This is another proof that the core educational program, which includes civics and history studies, must be imposed on the ultra-Orthodox educational system, in order to make sure that haredi children also learn the real story behind the foundation of the state and its symbols, instead of growing up in a reality that boycotts the state."

Comments

[maven]

Some people may not deserve their freedom.

[Lubavitchers are Christians]

The Israeli public school system has classes on every religion - especially Islam. But there are no classes on Judaism.

In the Jewish state!!

I guess the animosity between the state of Israel and its religious Jews is mutual.

[Garnel Ironheart]

Actually this makes sense. If there's a Soviet flag then clearly the reference the paper's editors used dated back to before 1948 when there was no official Israeli flag. Hence they wouldn't have known about it to put it in!

[ML]

Untrue.

[Bassy the Haredi Slayer]

The Israeli public school system has classes on every religion - especially Islam. But there are no classes on Judaism.

You repeat what someone fed you,

at least 50% of the curriculum in any Israel Public school system stream is Jewish/Israel oriented. Even the Mamlachti (secular) has more than 50%, they do not study gemera mishna and kitzur but they do learn Tanach, Hebrew literature, Hebrew expression (habaha beivrit), civility and Jewish history.

The definitely have more useful information than the poor kids in the Chinuch Hatzmai stream who study fantasy books about holy rabbis, singing donkeys and talking

[זרע לבטלה]

I actually checked that paper and was horrified to learn that they also omitted a Crucifix!

Im sure that all the Christian blogs are livid!!!

[Yochanan Lavie]

Spilled seed: A crucifix is not a national flag, nor is it the flag of the country in which this cretin is living. But the frumbags join the leftists and the far right in delegitimizing Israel. Go to Iran, you ungrateful wretches!

[seymour]

Posted by: זרע לבטלה | April 30, 2012 at 03:19 PM

are you for real we are t5alking about flags

a crucifix is not a flag or a symbol of a country

but maybe you are ultra Orthodox and do not have any logical thoughts

[Shlomo1]

Garnel the presence of a Soviet flash would only date the source to prior 1991

[Reuvan Nuchem]

Good for Bakehila! Go them!

[jancsibacsi]

זרע לבטלה-Go and masturbate youreself into oblivion.

[Maskil]

In all fairness, the Palestinian flag was not represented either. The publication was just trying to remain bipartisan.

[Yochanan Lavie]

In all fairness Palestine is not a state (yet).

[reuven s]

shameful period

[Maskil]

Yochanan, you should tell that to the UN, Europe, and even the US whose passport doesn't acknowledge a country of birth for citizens born in Jerusalem - in the name of not taking "sides." I know some people make a fuss about this shit, but it's not in-line with the website or its readers even if the site were for non-Orthodoxy related issues.

[rebeljew]

In any case, I do not understand why they excluded the Israeli flag. Do they agree with the USA, Syria, Iran, the EU republics and monarchies in all respects? Why wouldn't they use the opportunity to delineate to the children the symbolism of the ideals of Israel and why the do not agree with them?

[R. Wisler]

Perhaps it was a article on "flags of foreign countries" and therefore ommitted the native country's flag???

[Garnel Ironheart]

Shlomo1, it means between 1917-1991 so technically....

[Yochanan Lavie]

The point is, to many chareidim Israel is not a legitimate state. Yet they sponge off its resources. Even those who don't take welfare directly use its water, electricity, and real estate. In return, some bearded wonders even support our enemies and shout their slogans. The omission of the Israeli flag is probably a statement, not an accident.

But go on making excuses for these parasites.

[Maskil]

Don't you mean Pharisites?

[Yochanan Lavie]

Maskil :)