Education Minister Naftali Bennett granted a 15-minute interview with Kikar Shabbos News, addressing numerous matters of interest to the chareidi tzibur.

Regarding continued discrimination against Sephardim, Bennett explains what has been accomplished and how he continues working with the Knesset Education Committee towards eliminating it completely. One of his main points is that while in the past the Knesset committee and other authorities were involved, he has given them the “teeth”, meaning to say that they now have authority in additional to responsibility.

He admits the process is difficult and discrimination still exists but nonetheless there is progress and he remains optimistic. Bennett adds that Aryeh Deri back him and the methods used to date to end discrimination.

The minister explains that as a child there is much he did not learn vis-à-vis Sephardi Jewry for example, and he feels this too must end and students in Tel Aviv must have an understanding of the greatness of personalities such a HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L, and his contribution to the Jewish People and how he freed agunos after the Yom Kippur War.

Touching on issues of education, the minister explains that he envisions a better tomorrow as he remains optimistic, stressing any and all changes impacting the chareidi chinuch will be achieved by dialogue and agreement and nothing will be forced from his end. He hints that the lessons of being at odds with the chareidim have been learned, signaling today’s status quo with the chareidim is far preferable to that which existed in the previous administration when the chareidim were in opposition. Bennett stated “I view the chareidim as a strategic partner”.

Kikar:

As a religious Jews does it pain you to see Reform prayers at the Kosel?

Bennett:

As a Jew, I want to see achdus in Am Yisrael. We have arrived at a compromise that is not pleasant for anyone, the establishment of the new egalitarian prayer area. Any compromise leaves both sides wanting. I think the compromise is a correct one. I stand behind it. We cannot ignore them for they are Jews.

I am a cabinet minister and as such, I do not have the luxury to speak about pain. It’s my job to offer solutions. If not for this solution, we would see a war over the Kosel itself. I think everyone has to show flexibility.

Kikar:

Will Bennett run for Prime Minister in the next elections?

Bennett:

It’s no secret we are in it to be leaders and to continue without compromise on issues of paramount importance and Eretz Yisrael. Today we have a party that is mixed and we are moving ahead and currently it is now about what job I will receive or not, but about the bigger picture and Bayit Yehudi leading the nation.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)