Frum students attending Ono College announced they are boycotting graduation in an act of protest over the school’s decision to invite Education Minister Shai Piron. The college has a large chareidi student body and students at the Jerusalem campus explained they are unwilling to take part in a graduation that serves as a forum for Piron.
In statements released to the media the graduates explained they oppose his presence because “he targeted the frum schools and tzibur, the lomdei Torah”. The ceremony in question is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 29 Tammuz 5773, for the chareidi department of the school, whose graduates earned a law or business management degree. Also scheduled to appear at graduation are Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and Shas leader Aryeh Deri.
The graduates signed a petition last week explaining they prefer to receive their diplomas in the school office rather than honor a senior member of the Yesh Atid party with their presence since Yesh Atid remains committed to the destruction of Torah in Eretz Yisrael.
Some students indicated they would attend graduation but they would walk out when Piron addresses the event.
Education Ministry officials on Sunday morning, hours before the graduation, signaled the minister will not be deterred and he plans to attend as scheduled.
By midday however, as it became clear that boycott participation would be widespread, Education Ministry officials’ reported the minister’s appearance at the graduation event has been cancelled. The ministry’s statement said “We will not allow a handful of chareidi activists to compromise the festive nature of the graduation and tarnish the entire graduation class’ event.”
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
Kudos to the Charedi/Torah activists at Ono.
They are NO small segment of the class, the class is a majority of Charedi and Torah students who are all against giving Piron a box to spew his Knesset talks.
All politics aside whether or not yesh atid wants to destroy Torah in Eretz yisrael, ashreichem to those students. You stood up for what you felt was right, and the administration gave in to you.
On another note wasn’t yair lapid given a platform before elections?
In my own name and in the name of all charedim who don’t have internet, THANK YOU! May there be many more with Jewish pride and courage like you. KOL HAKAVOD TO YOU ALL!
IMPRESSIVE
Baruch Hashem! These courageous students dealt a major stinging blow to the “Laugher” & Lapid! It showed these dogs that they don’t/can’t control the spirit of the Frumah population! They were