And how do the Haredi side respond? Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri responded: "I am sorry that the court has joined the chorus of hatred against a public that has been constantly beaten in its pocket over the past year. Torah scholars cannot be turned into the national punching bag.
""Today's court ruling is a call to generous people from the land and the diaspora who hold the continuation of Torah study in the Land of Israel dear to their hearts. Now is the time to join hands for the world of Torah.".
The chairman of the United Torah Judaism faction, MK Eliezer Menachem Mozes, responded: "The court is being carried away by the atmosphere of arrogance against the Haredi public. The State of Israel funds students many times more than it does the Habrechim, but the court will not define this as inequality. Because when it comes to the Haredi, the court tends to forget the discrimination that has lasted for decades in almost every field. Will the court also define the decision to exempt an apartment from VAT, for a military veteran only, as inequality?""
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MK Yaakov Asher: "The High Court of Justice, in its scandalous ruling on the cancellation of income security for Abrahim, proves that all it wants is to attack the Torah-studying public and attempt to change their lifestyle through economic punishment, in the spirit of the Netanyahu-Lapid government's agenda.".
MK Meir Porush: "The High Court of Justice continues its rulings that discriminate against the Haredi public, and joins the band of the Israeli government that abuses the Haredi public, as much as possible and wherever possible. Those fighting against the Haredi public in Israel have received reinforcement from the High Court judges.".
MK Uri Maklev: "The High Court decision is discrimination and a denial of rights. No state denies rights because of Torah study. Don't take taxes from us and don't give us any support, exemptions, or budgets.".
MK Eli Yishai: "The High Court's decision will lead to the expansion of the circle of poverty and deepen it. This is an incorrect decision that will seriously harm families, most of whom are blessed with children. In the previous government, following the High Court's decision, the Gabbay Committee set additional criteria and tightened the conditions for Torah students eligible for the allowance. In light of this, a question mark should be placed on the High Court's additional intervention and its decision to discontinue this minimal allowance.
""Furthermore, I find it puzzling that this intervention is being done in the name of freedom of equality, but the existence of a VAT exemption for apartments that is only given to a certain group is accepted as a welcome and legitimate step.".
MK Eichler's response: "The High Court of Justice is causing a legal coup and determining the distribution of state budgets. The High Court's decision to rob the bread of Israel's poor is because they study Torah and do not become government officials. It is time to return the High Court to its place as a court and not as a reform government to oppress the Haredi.".
""The young men will survive without the meager pennies that the secular regime and the judges of the High Court have not yet robbed them of, but the eternal people will not forget or forgive those who, by force of power, persecute those who wish to study the Torah of Israel in the Land of Israel. The judges of Givat Ram are following in the footsteps of the judges of Egypt and Turkey.".
