The leaflets claim that haredim who serve in the IDF are being used as
pawns by a government that actively “works to destroy the Orthodox
faith.” They depict ogre-like haredi soldiers
chasing terrified haredi children and claim that haredi soldiers
“pollute the environment and cause their parents heart attacks."
Haredi Soldier Sues Haredi Cartoonist Over Leaflet Depicting Haredi Soldiers Threatening Little Haredi Children With Guns
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
A haredi soldier serving in Israel’s military reportedly filed a civil suit this week against a haredi cartoonist who published leaflets attacking haredim who serve in the IDF.
The leaflets claim that haredim who serve in the IDF are being used as
pawns by a government that actively “works to destroy the Orthodox
faith.” They depict ogre-like haredi soldiers chasing terrified haredi children and claim that haredi soldiers
“pollute the environment and cause their parents heart attacks," Ynet reported.
The soldier is seeking NIS 30,000 ($8,300) in damages. He claims the leaflets have damaged his reputation and the reputations of hundreds of other haredi soldiers.
The suit also claims that the widely distributed leaflets incited hatred, which resulted in verbal and physical attacks by haredim against haredi IDF soldiers.
Haredi soldiers have been harassed, physically attacked and stoned by fellow haredim in haredi neighborhoods across the country since the government released its plan to draft haredim into the military, as it drafts all other Jewish Israelis.
The harassment and violence has grown to be so severe and so common that the haredi soldiers have petitioned the IDF to allow them to visit their families and neighborhoods wearing civilian clothes.
The IDF, which has asked Israel’s attorney general to investigate the harassment and violence, is considering the soldiers’ request.