It is now official; Yair Lapid has announced his decision to enter Israeli politics, walking away from a most successful career as a journalist and TV host. Lapid made the announcement earlier in the month and recently added that while the press speaks of all the people and parties making contact with him, he hasn’t met with anyone. Last week he discounted joining Kadima as an option, continuing to signal that he plans to run his own show.

When recently asked why he has such a disdain for chareidim, his response was “I don’t hate any Jew”.

One his Facebook page, in response to comments from Rabbi Levanon that “Soon there will be a nation of Halacha”, Lapid comments, “This is not so and one is not compelled to respond to every nonsense”.

When asked just how he plans to attract come chareidi voters, Lapid explained without hesitating “By telling the truth. I believe most of the chareidim simply want to integrate into society and I will talk straight, telling it as it is”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)