After challenging Kol Berama Radio in a discrimination lawsuit earlier this year, the Kolech organization is now seeking to have both Yahadut Hatorah and Shas disqualified in the upcoming general elections, citing that since they do not permit women on their lists. Kolech’s Ricky Shapira explains both parties are in violation of the basic laws of Israel’s democratic society, and therefore, should not be entitled to election funding or to run in the election.

Israel Radio asked why they do not include the Arab Ra’am – Ta’al Parties in the lawsuit, explaining they also have a lineup void of women.

Shapira explained that they were able to get hold of the party charters for the two chareidi parties but were unsuccessful in that effort regarding the Arab party to the best of her knowledge, admitting she was uncertain however.

The words of Kolech were echoed on Israel Radio on Sunday morning 3 Teves 5773 by Prof. Mordechai Kremnitzer, who serves as vice president of research for the Israel Democratic Institute. He explained that the chareidi parties operate outside the accepted norms of a modern democratic society and there are many issues, speaking of the education system void of the core subjects as well, which refers to the fact that after bar mitzvah boys no longer learn mathematics, science or English.

Joining in was Avishai Ben-Chaim, a correspondent on chareidi affairs, who spoke of the “Taliban norms”, in the chareidi community and how so many chareidim “fall prey” to the radicalization of that community, citing many chareidi decision makers are driving them in a direction many don’t not wish to follow. Ben-Chaim feels many are left without an alternative and are therefore compelled to get in line and live by the new stricter standards. Ben-Chaim spoke of the gender segregated buses, saying he knows for a fact that many couples want to sit together but they cannot because the new norms are forced upon the community at large, those living in what he describes as a “religious ghetto”.

Responding was Yahadut Hatorah MK and Knesset Finance Committee chair, Rav Moshe Gafne, who has been in Knesset for over two decades.

“Let me make it very clear. The day will come when chareidim will not be in Knesset for that is your agenda. Today it’s about chareidi women but the next step will be to rid the Knesset of us entirely. That is the real agenda” stated Gafne in an angry tone.

Gafne urged his colleagues “not to worry” about the absence of females on the party list, seeking to explain this is in line with their way of life too, and they are not being subjected to any discrimination despite the allegations to the contrary. Gafne questions why this is so troublesome to so many, “for if these women are fine with the arrangement, why should others be fighting a battle that doesn’t exist?”

Gafne explained that for him and others in the party, it is understood the Moetzas Gedolei Hatorah makes the decision regarding the Knesset list and the wives understand this too. Angered by yet another round of allegations of wrongdoing and unacceptable lifestyle leveled at the chareidi tzibur, Gafne accuses the accusers of “hypocrisy”, explaining the chareidim tell it like it is – that the women are not on the list while the parties claiming equality place a token women here and there but in essence, the discrimination is blatant to all who wish to see it. “At least we are honest without ourselves” explains Gafne. “The hypocrisy shouts to the Heavens. I have been in Knesset for 24 years and you have never heard me or my colleagues point a finger at others, for we respect their lifestyle and simply ask the same in return but when it comes to the chareidim, this is not the case. We don’t tell you what to do so please stop trying to run our lives. If you think our derech is inappropriate, don’t vote for us. It’s that simple!”

“With all due respect, our women share the hashkafa that their place is not Knesset. For us, it’s not a place of honor but a public shlichus, nothing more. They [the women] are out there, in the workplace, volunteering and actively involved in life. If this is a democratic society as you all claim, then permit us to live our way and you do the same instead of the blatant attempts to interfere in our education system.”

“Even when it comes to teaching math in the lower grades, and we teach math, we don’t mix genders. It is not a boy and a girl walks together so many is that, but a boy and a boy and a girl with a girl. For some reason, this troubles so many. For us and your democracy, it’s not the equality banner, but men and women understand their roles and have a mutual respect for one another. If this is not in line with your hashkafa, don’t vote for us. Yet you and others like you yell democracy but with the same voice seek to disqualify us for you don’t approve of our way. What kind of democracy is that?”

Regarding the Ra’am – Ta’al Party, a spokesman for MK Dr. Ahmed Tibi reports there are at least 20 women on their list. They just happen to be in a place that they don’t seek the inside of Knesset for they do not get a sufficient number of seats.

Shapira stresses they action is not aimed specifically at chareidim because they are chareidim, but she and others like her feel the parties must adhere to the laws of Israel’s democratic society.

Benny Rabinowitz of Yated Ne’eman joined in, blasting Ben-Chaim “and your kippa sruga”, accusing him of having an agenda. He told Ben-Chaim “it’s not your place to argue with gedolim” and in your eyes you may call your actions Halacha but it does not work for us. Rabinowitz added he did some homework, joining in with Gafne’s accusation of hypocrisy, questioning just how many women have served on the High Court of Justice over the past decades. Rabinowitz rejects any attempt to paint the lawsuit as a legitimate attempt to enforce democracy, but simply accuses the plaintiffs of “hypocrisy” and having a tainted agenda, seeking to target the chareidi way of life.

Rabinowitz questioned why when a male runs for a position in the US Congress or House of Representatives no one shouts “why not a women” for one realizes one may or may not vote for that individual, recommending the same response here in Israel.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)