Finance Minister Yair Lapid and MK Elazar Stern are now trying to bribe yeshivos into ‘seeing the light’, to accept their way of life in return for funding for bnei yeshivos from abroad studying in Eretz Yisrael.
The two staunch Zionists are offering increased state funding for the talmidim who study in Eretz Yisrael in exchange for those very same talmidim learning “Zionist ethics” and take part in visits to IDF bases.
According to a report released in the daily Maariv, for Yesh Atid, the finance minister’s party, cutting funding for talmidim from abroad was a deal breaker in coalition talks. Lapid was unwilling to enter the coalition until coalition partners signed agreement to cut that funding.
However, it appears Bayit Yehudi is applying a great deal of pressure in the coalition. This led to an alternate plan from Lapid, which was rejected. The finance minister expressed a willingness to fund talmidim from abroad for as long as they learn in Zionist yeshivos such as Yeshivat HaKotel.
Brainstorming together, the two lovers of Zion, Lapid and Stern have agreed that funding for the talmidim in the amount of 50 million NIS annually may resume next year for as long as the chareidim agree to the terms mentioned above.
Maariv explains the two are demanding that talmidim from abroad receiving state funds will commit to studying Zionist ethics and visit Nachal Chareidi bases, where they will meet with and speak with soldiers. It appears the two believe the talmidim at Mir and other yeshivos will be overwhelmed with enthusiasm and rip off their black jackets in exchange for an IDF uniform.
And there is more – these talmidim will also have to find time to visit IDF memorial sites and take part in Holocaust Remembrance Day and Memorial Day events. They will have to visit Yad Vashem and take part in Zionism workshops as part of their state brainwashing curriculum.
Stern has released a statement acknowledging the contribution of the talmidim from abroad from a financial point of view, adding many opt to remain in Israel and build their lives and he feels the state should continue funding them. It would appear MK Stern wishes to turn them into Zionists before they make the decision to live their lives here and raise their families.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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9 Responses
At least the zionists are being honest in claiming their goal is to destroy traditional Judaism and the crush any group that doesn’t tote their party line. The real question is if the coercion and bribery fail, will they turn to gulags and reeducation camps?
Why is Lapid (or for that matter any of the lefty “peace” advocates)considered a “Zionist” ? They are willing to compromise on large segments of the “Zionist” homeland wth getting anything in return. And by the way, many of the left-wing elements in Israel classify themselves as “Post-Zionists”.Indeed, it would more accurate to say “anti-religious”, or “secular”.
How come lipman hasn’t checked in on this? He’s been conspicuously silent.
I am “hareidi” and a recent student of Mir Yeshiva and I am all for visiting nachal chareidi army bases. As a matter of fact I think that’s an excellent idea. I strongly believe that there IS a place for Zionism in Judaism, that is, religious Zionism. As a matter of fact I believe that part of Judaism IS Zionism! How many times do we mention “ZION” in davening and Tana’ch?! with that said I am also all for visiting IDF memorial sites and take part in Holocaust Remembrance Day and Memorial Day events
The one who pays orders the music. The author of the article, what’s your ta’anah?
TO: very much average joe
YOU ARE A BIZAYON TO THE MIRRER YESHIVA YOU ARE THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF THE TYPE OF TALMID THE MIR WISHES TO PORODUCE YOU ARE NOT A MIR PRODUCT AND DONT SPEAK FOR THE MIR
frum JEWS are zionist but not in lapigs term
Cool, free tours of stuff. I wouldn’t have minded some free bein hazmanim entertainment when I was in EY.
@lbj, thanks for the compliment of being “very much average”, i really do appreciate it. as a matter of fact when Chana prayed for Shmuel she only prayed that he be a very average person, not too smart and not too dumb, not too tall and not too short, not too rich and not too poor, just, well….very much average! p.s. do you say “Ki MITZION teytzey torah” or do you say “Ki MILAKEWOOD saytzey soyrah”…just wondering