The chairman of the Nationalist camp, Benny Gantz, spoke today (Monday) at his faction's meeting in the Knesset, after returning from the funeral of Rabbi Chaim Druckman - "whose students I was also privileged to be.".
Gantz said: "I ask today, on the eve of the formation of the new government, to address my Haredi brothers. I know that most of you see yourselves as an integral part of Israeli society. That many, men and especially women, are increasingly integrating into the employment market. That many are enlisting in the security, rescue and charity forces.".
""And I ask you, in light of the circumstances - have your hearts been lifted up? What you are doing and supporting these days seeks to transform Israel from a Jewish state into a religious state. From a state of Jews into a state of tribes. And the result - will be harm to Judaism, harm to religion, and harm to Israeli society as a whole.".
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He said, "When you seek to enact a Basic Law on Torah study whose real goal is to regulate the sweeping exemption from service to the people and the state - you are leading to the destruction of the people's army and not to the strengthening of Torah study. When you do not support those who want to go out to work and study and deprive them of the necessary skills, including core studies - you are harming Israeli society and the economy, which will ultimately collapse under the burden.".
Gantz continued: "Rabbi Akiva said - 'You have seized a lot, you have not seized.' The attempt to shape Israel as a religious state will harm Israel as a Jewish state. The attempt to wrest the appointment of the Chief Military Rabbi from the Chief of Staff will harm the delicate balance in the role that dominates many areas and many believers, and the ability of the Chief Rabbi to fulfill his mission. This will be another blow to security.
""Whitewashing racism in the Knesset, and institutionalizing discrimination - will result in severe harm to Israeli democracy. It condemns you to slavery and not mercy. Dozens of clauses in the coalition agreement distance you from the general public. Harming minorities led by racists in the government - will backfire on you first and foremost. It is up to you to act responsibly and fairly. The price of coercion will be hard and heavy.".
Gantz referred to his promise during the election campaign about a "white paper" that he would give to the Haredim to form a government: "I know the statement that I would give the Haredim a 'white paper' to fill out in order to become prime minister. Well - a white paper maybe - I would never wave a white flag. This is what is happening now both with them and with religious Zionism.
""A white flag of surrender and abandonment of security - would not be raised, no matter what the price. Renouncing the IDF as the people's army would not pass my watch. I have said so over the years, and I say so now.".
""It is possible to reach agreements, we need to reach an agreed-upon service outline with significant concessions in which everyone serves the people and the state – and preserves their way of life. Instead of following the old methods, with exemptions, grants, inventing basic laws – we need to follow the royal road that will unite the state and the tribes, not the divide and rule method.".
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Gantz continued his campaign of intimidation: "My Haredi brothers - the democratic, social, security and economic bankruptcy that we are seeing will gnaw at the heart of the country and also at its Jewry.
""On the day when hotels are declared for secular people only, on the day when workplaces proudly declare that they do not accept Haredim, on the day when a member of the Knesset is elected who denies your right to live according to your customs - remember that you were part of the mechanism that whitewashes the harm to minorities. That breaks us into tribes. I hope and pray that we will not get there.".
""Remember these coalition negotiations - which are turning out to be, above all, a campaign to dismantle Israeli society. You will be the ones who will be hurt the most. It is time for decisions. I claim that we are brothers, that you are an integral part of the Israeli public and not a separatist tribe. But partnership also comes with responsibility.""
