Speaking with Israel Radio on Thursday morning, Shas leader Eli Yishai explained this a “very difficult day”. The interview took place before the party’s Council of Torah Sages headed by Maran HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita convened. (Portions of the interview follow).
He added that “There is no doubt that discrimination exists” but there has been a partial solution, at least in principle, as Shas founded the Mayanei HaYeshua education network for Sephardim. He adds that some Sephardim however still prefer to send their children to a Chinuch Atzmai school, “and this is legitimate”.
Yishai questions the wisdom of sending parents to jail, even with the awareness of the ongoing discrimination. “We know how to deal with the discrimination within the camp without causing such a terrible chilul Hashem”.
ISRAEL RADIO: You are a senior cabinet minister and government official. Do you sanction disregarding a High Court decision?
YISHAI: I think the problem began with the entire way the matter of discrimination was addressed in this case, and it should have been addressed internally as in the past, not as it has been – and now, we see the disastrous results.
Earlier in the interview, Yishai did state that one cannot just ignore a ruling of the High Court, adding that at times, the chareidim to turn to the court as well, but only after first consulting with rabbonim and receiving their permission for such a move.
Yishai adds the Shas mosdos are indeed a viable alternative, since there is no discrimination, accepting both Sephardim and Ashkenazim.
ISRAEL RADIO: In essence, today’s battle seeks to turn the battle against the Supreme Court, but in essence, the problem is within the chareidi community.
YISHAI: Yes, there is discrimination and there are a number of solutions. Permitting those who wish mixed classrooms to attend such schools. There are also the Shas schools. There are a number of streams and we must yearn to permit children/ parents to learn in the stream they view as appropriate for them. I call it ‘come learn with us. I mean it, that’s the true solution. Come and take advantage to the Shas mosdot”.
Yishai explained that his children learn in Ashkenazi mosdos since it is convenient, close to home, detailing in Har Nof, there are no Sephardi mosdot.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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6 Responses
Ramatshilo where is the discrimation as you claim Yishai sends his children to ashkenazi schools and they are not barred. It is media hipe that fuels this
Bizchut ahavat chinam yibaneh haMikdash.
Yishai is in a tough spot, since so many of his Shas supporters are not hareidim.
Shas are making a very big mistake. Although there might be discrimination that needs addressing, they are missreading the motives of the high court.
When the high court took away the stipends for Avreichim they didn’t discriminate between Ashkenazim or Sefardim! Or Mizrachim for that matter!
The Begats are out to distroy anything connected to torah. The next move will be to force Mizrachi kids into Public schools.
The Sefardim and Mizrachim should unite against the high court.
.4 – Shas is not making any mistake. Although there is discrimination no one is misreading the motives of the high court. Even if the high court is wrong for sending people to jail they have picked up on a very sensitive issue. A very sensitive issue indeed to the point at which you immediately declare Shas is wrong! Wrong about what? Wrong about being Sephardic? Wrong about being alive? Wrong that they have been saving Sefardim from the Apikorsoot of an Ashkenazi government? Always bear in mind Sephardim didn’t produce Reform Judaism. No my friend, Shas is right. You are wrong.
I can’t understand the comments of Yishai and the posters here. There was no discrimination. The school had two tracks, one for religious and one for non-religious (mixed dancing, treif food, etc). There were plenty of Sephardim in both tracks, Ashkenazim too. Most parents were happy with this. Any parents who wanted their kids in the religious tracks needed to agree to adhere to certain standards. The court even agreed to keep the tracks, and have a committee decide which track each girl would fit in. Only lalum did not accept this.