[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

MK (Yesh Atid) Elazar Stern is known as not counting himself as a supporter of the chareidi lifestyle. During a recent Knesset address, Stern responded to recent attacks from chareidi lawmakers regarding his anti-chareidi hashkafa and his efforts which they view as harmful to Torah Jewry.

He came under attack during recent heated discussions regarding the amended draft law, which passed and is not more to the liking of the chareidim, undoing the work of his and other parties that supported the original version of the law.

He explains that “if we cannot provide normal religious services in Israel it will be a threat that is no less than the Iranian threat”, telling the plenum that he will seek a response in the High Court of Justice, for “the coalition has sent me there” adding the court will is asked to address a number of other issues the chareidim placed in coalition agreements, including kashrus certifications by agencies not recognized by the Chief Rabbinate and of course, conversions.

The 30-minute video contains Stern’s entire address during the debate in Knesset on the amended draft law.

He concludes by explaining “We of Yesh Atid will assist nonetheless and despite the law, we are hopeful more chareidim will enlist and we are in favor of mainstreaming more chareidim into Israeli society”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)