General elections may have been pushed off with the deal that brought the Kadima party into the coalition government, but newcomer Yair Lapid continues to promote his social agenda, and he feels that current realities vis-à-vis the housing reforms are unacceptable, catering to the chareidi community at the expense of others.

Lapid, who heads the newly-formed “There is a Future Party”, reveals his platform and promises 150,000 long-term rent controlled apartments, calling on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to dismiss Housing Minister Atias.

Globes quotes Lapid as saying “I don’t know if you have been following the so-called housing reform”, continuing to list some of the plan’s highlights. He explains that while the committee determined that eligibility requirements for state subsidized housing must include military service on the sliding scale point system, as well as if both members of the couple are employed, a less common reality in the chareidi community.

“The committee submitted it recommendations which enjoyed government approval and the reform became a reality. The regulations were placed on the housing minister’s desk, Ariel Atias of Shas, and he too approved them with one exception. He removed the category addressing “eligibility”, removing one’s need to be employed, inserting a new requirement, one that has been unknown in the history of nations, calling it “marriage experience”!

“Don’t be fooled. I am not engaging in an anti-chareidi drasha here, so don’t use this opportunity to label me anti-chareidi…I do not have any Jew in the world and I oppose any message of hate, and even more than this, I recognize chareidim as citizens with equal rights and privileges”.

“However, in what country in the world, in what country that clings to life, if one serves in the armed force, learns, works and his wife works, they simply do their utmost as productive citizens, does the government respond by saying ‘these people specifically do not qualify for assistance’. Davka from these people we disqualify their eligibility to buy a first home and their rights are passed over to those who do not serve, don’t work, and become productive citizens and taxpayers”.

“My grievance is not directed at Ariel Atias, for he and his colleagues never hid their agenda which is a total lack of concern for the general public. The simply look out for their own. My grievance is with the prime minister because he should have called Atias in and laid down the law and the need for him to consider the good of all citizens if he wishes to continue in his cabinet post.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)