Both the Dan and Egged bus companies rejected a Kadima ad campaign that targeted the share the burden issue against chareidim. Kadima leader MK Shaul Mofaz is trying to earn his seat in the 19th Knesset on the backs of talmidim and avreichim, dedicating his limited energies and budget to the ‘share the burden’ issue.

According to a report in the daily HaMevaser, the ad campaign would have stated that an IDF soldier earns 350 NIS monthly while avreichim are paid a 3,400 NIS stipend from the national government. The ad campaign included the slogan “pay IDF soldiers like avreichim.”

Kadima accuses bus companies of “coming out against IDF soldiers, those bearing the defense burden and placing themselves at risk for us. These very same bus companies earn a handsome sum for transporting these soldiers to and from their bases and homes, but now, they opt to censor the ads and this demands a probe. Our message is of merit and it demands comparing conditions for soldiers and avreichim” was the Kadima response. Kadima accuses Egged and Dan of collapsing under political pressure, compelling the decision to ban the campaign.

Kadima adds that the Central Election Committee approved the ad campaign so the bus companies were unjustified in their decision to ban it.

A Dan spokesman stated “we invite all parties to advertise on our buses for as long as the message is a positive one that does not attack others.” Dan officials add that they consulted with the company’s legal experts, and the latter advised them not to accept the ad campaign.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)