MK Uri Maklev accuses the government of “selling out” the values that are dear to Am Yisrael. He continues that clearly the Reform Movement is not genuinely interested in Yiddishkheit for they have removed Yerushalayim and other aspects of tefilla from their siddurim.

In his address from the Knesset podium, Maklev attacked the cabinet and PM Netanyahu’s unprecedented support of the Reform which is evident by recent government decisions. He stated that until now, the Kosel is the only place that unites all of Am Yisrael of all walks of life and to select this site results in the destruction of this achdus. He decried the “provocations” of the Reform and their supporters at the Kosel, as well as their real agenda which has nothing to do with being Jewish.

Maklev stated their actions are an affront to the religious sensitivities of the Jewish people as well as to Sifrei Torah and the roots of the Jewish nation.

He exclaimed as the Jewish people daven three times daily to return to Tzion, the Reform have extracted this aspect of tefilla from their prayers, and in short, they have no connection to Torah and Halacha, but simply wish to destroy the Orthodox way of life. “This is a counterfeit Yiddishkheit” he exclaimed, adding in areas with many Reform Jews in the USA, one will not find a single mikve since it is not relevant to their lives.

Gafne feels they are simply trying to defraud the religious community, warning of the newfound closeness between the Government of Israel and leaders of the Reform Movement.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)