Bayit HaYehudi Party leader Naftali Bennett called a press conference on motzei shabbos the eve of 10 Teves 5773 as he realized his faux pas regarding a statement against the Likud and possible eviction of Jews from their homes in the future.
Speaking with the media Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu did not waste time, condemning anyone who encourages or approves insubordination in the military, adding he will not permit any such party to enter into the next coalition. Mr. Netanyahu told Channel 2 TV News that such a party has no place in his coalition.
Bennett tried to explain his words, stating he too does not support insubordination, stating that everyone must adhere to orders in the military.
“I turn to the tens of thousands of youths and IDF soldiers who are looking at me as a personal example. Thousands of youths are libel to mistakenly believe that I endorse insubordination, refusal of orders. This would be mistaken” stated Bennett, who was an officer in an elite IDF unit during his military career and continues serving in the reserves, with the rank of major.
Bennett went on to explain he never called for or endorsed refusal of orders, adding “I have been serving in the IDF for 22 years as a combat officer. I have fought in wars and I reiterate, I do not call for insubordination and do not support such a policy.”
He attacked Likud and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for misrepresenting his words for political gain, using the forum to call on the prime minister to retract statements in which he expressed support for the creation of a Palestinian state. Bennett also asked the prime minister “do you plan to uproot Jews from their homes again?” the subject that led to his statement which was misinterpreted as a call for insubordination.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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4 Responses
Some would say the real definition of Hareidi is that one doesn’t accept that the Israeli government is legitimate – that it’s laws aren’t laws, and need not be obeyed. So if a “dati leumi” also holds that the Zionist government’s laws are really laws, and need not be obeyed, how are they different than the Hareidim (whom they claim to despise). The “Medinah” is the idol upon which Religious Zionism is based, and if they know longer want to serve that idol, then what is a Religious Zionist.
Everyone seems to fear the upcoming Bayit Yehudi party, including Bibi.. Beginning to wonder WHY?
#2: Likud moved significantly towards the more secular with the addition of the largely anti-religious Yisrael Beiteinu, so Likud is concerned that many of the more religious Likudniks will refuse to support the ultra-secular Lieberman.
Many of the Hareidi baal ha-batim are in fact quite nationalistic, unlike their rabbanim, and if they choose to vote for a non-hareidi party, the “shortest” distance would be Bayit Yehudi.
Thus if Bayit Yehudi can draw Likudniks who find the Likud is too secular, and Hareidi who find the Hareidi parties are not nationalistic enough, it might emerge as a serious political force.
#1 Check out the well-known video of Ariel Sharon on soldiers deciding if a ruling is outside of their conscious or not. Bennet said the same thing as Sharon.
There are many basic differences bt the two groups you focused on…..and the subdivisions within each group too.