Tel-Chai Nation

Haredi Knesset member Moshe Gafni of the UTJ party, after his de-facto exit from the government, made repellent remarks about religious Zionists:

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is worse than secular Jews, United Torah Judaism MK Moshe Gafni said in an interview with haredi news outlet Kikar Hashabbat on Thursday.

Gafni commented that Smotrich was not helpful in assisting with haredi (ultra-Orthodox) education, Torah, and treasury concerns, despite Smotrich being a right-wing, religious Jew. "I don’t remember such difficulty in previous terms, including those when I was in the opposition," Gafni commented.

"Without Torah students, we have no existence as a Jewish people. Without Torah students, the State of Israel cannot continue," Gafni commented, referring to the haredi draft law.

"This is the reality we’ve always lived in, so what changed now? As long as we support Netanyahu, they will make our lives miserable. All those in the right-wing who speak against yeshiva students are playing into the left's hands. It hurts, it’s painful. It shows that this partnership with the right is conditional. If it’s convenient for the secular media, fine, and if not, a few drop off," he added.

Look how he resorts to all the Orwellian cliches that could be expected, when the Haredis have been the ones to hinge it all on conforming to the isolationist visions of the ultra-Orthodox. Education alone does not help when there's danger of Islamofascism lurking around the corner. Gafni has drawn the ire of religious Zionists with his offensive remarks, and the list of offended even includes another Haredi scholar:

Rabbi Avraham Borodiansky, head of the Barkai haredi Hesder Yeshiva, issued a sharply worded response to MK Moshe Gafni's recent remarks targeting the national-religious public.

In his statement, Rabbi Borodiansky voiced deep frustration over Gafni’s attack on a community he said has made significant sacrifices in recent years.

"I try so hard to avoid expressing my opinion during this time," the rabbi wrote, "but tonight is different. It is unforgivable for anyone to speak against a public which, merely for not dancing to the tune of ‘Moshe Emet,’ is labeled as enemies of Torah and haters of Israel."

He continued, "This cannot be brushed aside. A community that has buried its finest sons, where young women raise their children alone, where every knock at the door brings fear—for you, they are the haters of Israel?"

Rabbi Borodiansky added, the Torah says "And He said to Moshe: 'Remove your sandals from your feet!' You have no right to tread upon their land—it is too holy for you. I was never enthusiastic about your fiery speeches, but I restrained myself. Today, you have revealed your disgrace."

Regarding the issue of IDF enlistment, Rabbi Borodiansky acknowledged it as a painful subject but stressed, "Even if one claims that a young man who studies Torah need not serve in the army, that is only valid if there is mutual respect and appreciation. The religious Zionist public not only honors Torah and its scholars—they are among them."

He concluded, "This outburst today is among the most offensive and outrageous I have ever encountered. You should be ashamed and ask forgiveness from this sacred community—the men and women of religious Zionism."

Gafni most definitely should. Smotrich said he should meet with bereaved families, and Gafni has yet to do that. He's an utter embarrassment, and neither he nor his party belong in the Knesset.

Labels: anti-semitism, dhimmitude, haredi corruption, islam, Israel, jihad, Judaism, Knesset, military, misogyny, Moonbattery, political corruption, racism, sexual violence, terrorism, war on terror