Yahadut Hatorah MK Yisrael Eichler addressed the eighth annual Hamodia Conference in the Jerusalem Convention Center on Tuesday, 24 Tammuz 5773. Following is a synopsis of his remarks.

“What connects all the gezeiros being directed at the chareidi tzibur – the Reform women at the Kosel, the chilul Kodesh. I spoke with MK Dr. Ahmed Tibi and I understood from him that when it comes to the Ramadan fast they are considerate towards the Arabs but when a group of women wish to act in a disgraceful and inappropriate fashion near the remnants of the Beis HaMikdash, who is targeted in response, the chareidi tzibur”.

Eichler feels we must ask ourselves “where is the money” and look in the direction of the Reform Jews, those who “create the divide in the nation, those who fund their activities.” He is calling to wage a war against the Reform, which must begin with a probe and then using the same tactics against them.

He spoke of two nonprofits that bring people to Israel and receive enormous funding. The first if Birthright (Taglit) which Eichler reports receives 120 million NIS annually for its 10-day trips. The second in Masa, which receives 100 million NIS annually yet brings “less than 10,000 students a year.”

He then questions “why is it that they only cut from the thousands of yeshiva students who come here from abroad to study Torah and their parents pay their hard earned money for them”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)