Yahadut Hatorah’s Moshe Gafne spoke with Israel Radio on Monday 24 Shevat 5773, stating there would be no compromise by the chareidim on the issue of those bnei Torah wishing to continue with their limud Torah. Gafne stated that he agrees with the share the burden concept but the problem lies with those who fail to understand that fulltime Torah study is a major portion in the sharing of the nation’s burden.
When asked to comment on reports that Bayit HaYehudi leader Naftali Bennett signed a deal with Yesh Atid, he stated he has no first hand information and therefore, will not comment. He added that as was the case in past years, Shas and his party are united on the major issues, including efforts to draft chareidim, and this will give them both significantly more negotiating power in the coalition talks, with their combined 18 seats.
Gafne was asked if he will seek to continue in his capacity as chair of the Knesset Finance Committee, a very powerful position. He stated it is too early to address such questions as it remains unclear if the party will be in the coalition or opposition. Gafne added that he wishes to use the opportunity to toot his horn, telling listeners that he performed admirably as chairman of the committee and did a great deal of good for many, chareidim and non-chareidim alike. He stated however “this is not the issue at hand and today, we are dealing with an ideological one”, referring to the sharing the burden momentum to draft chareidim, which seems to be a pivotal issue in coalition talks.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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6 Responses
Unfortunately, they are avoiding the main issue facing charedim in Eretz Yisroel — that is poverty and lack of real livelihood opportunities for most charedim.
Is there a hiddush here? The main issues are conscription of hareidim in general, and in particular of yeshiva men and all frum women – and the fact that the hiloni economy discriminates against hareidim.
The QUESTION that has never been answered is what is UTJ/SHAS position on bochurim/young men who are not in ‘Full Time Learning’?
“the hiloni economy discriminates against hareidim”
Time is ripe to begin Charedi companies and businesses that are willing and able to hire Charedim. Europe and America has Fortune Five companies that were established & designed by Charedim, let’s do the same in the holy land.
The question is will they? hire charedim exclusively? or look for the best candidate for the job? perhaps with years of professional experience, networking ability and communication skills with the global techo world? Are the charedim and other candidate (secular, traditional, religious) on even keel? can they compete in the same professional arena?
Enough throwing out epithetts as “facts on the ground”. Investigate, Research and understand the reason (if there is one) why companies/businesses are showing discrimination against haredim.
Could be typical nepotism that we are experts at…. IOW companies hire their army and college friends or neighbors from the community they live in. (makes car pools easier!!) Past associates from prior jobs that they are familiar and comfortable with. Sort of how any Rebbe, Mechanech, Executive Director, Computer programmer, lawyer gets a position today. Its “who you know, NOT what you know”
“young men who are not in ‘Full Time Learning’” — Up to know the policy has been to let them claim to be learning full time (though in all fairnes, the Israelis define learning full time so liberally that virtually any Orthodox Jew male can qualify). Some are anti-zionists, and it is the way of a “rodef shalom” to say “So sorry, I’m too busy learning to be in your army” rather than to say “you are a bunch of thieving war mongering apikoresim, and no, I won’t join your army.”
If they insist on drafting yeshiva students, and the army makes a serious effort at accomodation, some sort of deal can be reached with those who accept government money. However the anti-zionists (meaning groups such as Satmar, Toldos Aharon, etc.) will refuse regardless, and if they try to throw them in prison then, as the goyim say, “the [you know what] hits the fan”.
B&H, Sergey Brin’s favorite camera store. But it’s Satmar so they probably won’t go very well in Israel.