PHOTOS: President Rivlin Termed ‘Nazi’ In Shocking Graffiti At A Cheder In Bnei Brak

(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

On Wednesday morning 5 Cheshvan, Rabbeim were shocked to discover graffiti at the entrance to the “Boston” Talmud Torah in Bnei Brak condemning President Reuven Rivlin.

This incident comes about two months after a visit by the President of Israel on Rosh Chodesh Elul, which had aroused considerable criticism in various circles.

The anonymous vandal hand sprayed black graffiti on the walls of the school on Chazon Ish Street, reading “Rivlin, an idol in the Heichal” and “Rivlin – Meshumad Nazi”.

As reported by Bechadrei Chareidim, President Rivlin’s remarks to the young Talmidim at the Chareidi Yeshiva to open the school year: “You will remember your entire life, even when you become president or prime minister or mayors, even when you become the heads of yeshivas, you will always remember that day you officially started studying Chumash.”

The visit aroused considerable anger among many extremist Chareidim who said the Cheder should not be legitimizing the President of Israel to the young Talmidim.

The president was also in the news this week regarding his address to the opening session of the Knesset winter session. He spoke of the threats facing democracy as a result of the current Likud administration led by Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, which he claimed aims to stifle the opposition.

An administrator of the yeshiva told the media they that there is no merit in responding to such heinous acts, for by doing so, one only draws attention to them and they are not worthy of one’s attention.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu denounced the graffiti, saying “Graffiti like this deserves strong condemnation. There is no place for this in public discourse in Israel.”

Knesset Speaker Yoel Edelstein strongly condemned the attack on President Rivlin and expressed his revulsion at the harsh graffiti against him, adding that “the bad discourse prevalent in the country is deteriorating from day to day and may cause harm to the people, and therefore everyone must condemn such acts as well as to act against the phenomenon of incitement with a cruel and merciless hand.”

Chairman of the Yesh-Atid party, MK Yair Lapid responded on Twitter, tongue-in-cheek addressing “anyone who incited against the president yesterday and was ‘shocked’ today by the graffiti against him. What did you think would happen?”