In his address to the Arutz-7 sponsored Jerusalem Conference on Tuesday 4 Adar I 5774, former right-wing MK Dr. Michael Ben-Ari lashed out in harsh terms against the Bayit Yehudi party, accusing it of destroying the political right-wing. Ben-Ari explained that prior to this election the former National Religious Party [not Bayit Yehudi], Likud and the chareidim were always a bloc, always representative of the political right-wing, but now, as a result of Bayit Yehudi’s union with Yesh Atid, “there is no right-wing”.
Ben-Ari did not stop there, but accuses Bayit Yehudi of bringing the Reform Movement closer into Israel and by its support for various bills, has sorely compromised Orthodox Jewry. “I am not a member of the dati leumi but a member of the Jewish People. Where is Bayit Yehudi heading… I ask myself after a year in the coalition just what are Bayit Yehudi’s accomplishments. I can count their defeats.”
But his harshest criticism was leveled at Bennett’s party for being a part of the cutting of monthly child allowance payments, asking angrily how the dati leumi party could have been part of sentencing tens of thousands of children to poverty. He asked why Bayit Yehudi is going with Yesh Atid and not the chareidim. He angrily questioned how Bennett can align himself with the likes of Yair Lapid and his party when one realizes its views on religion and the religious public at large.
Deputy Education Minister (Bayit Yehudi) Avi Wortzman responded, telling Ben-Ari that the people did not vote for him to serve again yet Bayit Yehudi was elected. He accused him being among those who simply sit on the sideline and shout but accomplish nothing while the party has done so much for so many.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
If Ben-Ari had not run – and lost – the religious right wing would have gained 2 seats in the Knesset. Clearly the learned gentleman has studied his mistakes carefully, has learned them and can now repeat them exactly.
“prior to this election the former National Religious Party [not Bayit Yehudi], Likud and the chareidim were always a bloc”
What an ignoramus.
Shas supported the Rabin government from 1992 to 1995; Likud and NRP were in opposition. Shas also supported the Barak government from 1999 to 2001, again with Likud and NRP in opposition. NRP joined Sharon’s Likud government in 2003, with the charedim in opposition. NRP left that government in November 2004 and Agudath Israel replaced NRP a few months later. Likud itself left that coalition in early 2006. Shas supported the Olmert government formed after the 2006 election, with Likud and what was left of NRP in opposition.
Bayit HaYehudi was elected, true, but under a very different understanding what its goals were. It should be clear to everyone that the parties led by the gedolei Yisroel, the einei ha’Eidah, foresaw all of this.
“Right” and “Left” refer to where people sat in the French National Assembly in the late 18th century – before Jews could even vote.
In terms of economics, Bayit Yehudi and Yesh Atid are both strongly capitalist (Austrian School, followers for Friedman and Von Hayek), as is much of Likud. The Hareidim are at the least Keynesian, if not socialist, especially on matters such as supporting a welfare state regardless of ability to pay for it, meaning that on economic matters the Hareidim are probably to the “left” of the Israeli Labor (socialist) party.
In terms of foreign affairs, while many Hareidim are hawks (and many of those have tended to go into the army or alternative service), many Hareidim are doves, and due to Bayit Yehudi’s opposing the yeshivos, the Hareidi doves have gained tremendous credibility – remember that if given choice between Torah and being a good Israeli, almost by definition a hareidi will choose to give up being an Israeli rather than give up Torah. In the past, hareidim have generally been much more dove-ish than the religious zionists.
Remember, that if given a choice between Torah and the internet, Akuperma will choose the internet (as witnessed by his comments on this site at ALL hours of the day).