Tourism Minister (Likud) Yariv Levin lashed out against chareidi parties for their opposition to the establishment of a casino in Eilat, claiming a casino in the southern resort city would harm the lower income residents of Israel. He hinted at the hypocrisy of the chareidi parties for their opposition on the one hand while on the other hand they accept buildings from funds generated by the state Mifal HaPayis lottery. He explained “there is a saying”, “אתם טובלים ושרץ בידיכם” (you are toiveling with a ‘sheretz’ in your hands).

According to a NRG News report, Levin asked the chareidim why they are not calling for the closure of lottery booths nationwide, in Kiryat Shmona and Bnei Brak towards protecting the lower income population. “Who gambles in the lottery; the millionaires from Savion” he asked. He continued by citing a list of buildings that have been funded by profits from the national lotters, including talmidei torah, mikvaos and torah institutions.

“Did you hear? They take from the poor for taharas yisrael. Do you know what this is called? Toiveling with a sheretz in one’s hand” Levin stated. He added that Betar Illit Mayor Meir Rubinstein is a member of the lottery council and that the lottery also supports a fund providing movies for chareidi women.

In response to Levin’s words Shas MK Yigal Guetta stated “instead of a report on Eilat I put together a report on Bnei Brak. What is wrong with taking from the poor and giving back money for the poor? What is wrong with a school or a mikve? If there are problems with Mifal HaPayis let’s fix them but there is no need to open a casino”.

Also responding to Levin was MK Uri Maklev, who added “These are the responses you are giving us regarding the danger of a casino? Are you really comparing a casino to a lottery booth? I am willing to forgo all of the money to mikvaos and close down the lottery”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)