The video storm posted by Inbar Toizer, News 12 reporter: Shocking details about the groom's family, for whose wedding the funds were collected, have been revealed.
Media personality Aryeh Erlich, editor of 'Mishpacha' magazine, revealed today (Wednesday) details about the identity of the family for whom donations were raised for 'Knesset of a Bride' - a family that is dealing with a difficult economic reality, far from the ridicule directed at it on social media.
According to Erlich's revelation, the father of the groom who "publicly insulted" is a resident of the north whose livelihood suffered a fatal blow just a few days ago. The father works as a transport driver, whose vehicle - his main source of income - was completely destroyed by a Hezbollah missile strike in the northern city where he lives.
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Erlich describes the character of a hardworking and dedicated man: "The ashamed father of the groom was hit by a Hezbollah missile on his vehicle a few days ago, which crippled his livelihood. He works as a transportation driver.
""In addition, he teaches in the afternoons at Talmud Torah. The salary is irregular due to difficulties the institution has encountered, but he is not leaving because he feels responsible for the children's education. In addition, to supplement his income, he works as a sofer satam. He needs to finish writing a Torah scroll and then he will receive the rest of the payments.
""After the missile hit, which immediately disabled his vehicle, the groom's father responded with a smile, while preparing for a thanksgiving party - even though he had lost his only source of income at the moment.".
""From property tax, he will receive in a while a much smaller amount than would allow him to buy a new car with it.".
Erlich added and said alongside a photograph: "The sign that the groom's father placed on his damaged car after the missile hit. Note the play on words, leader = driver, which alludes to the loss of his source of income as a driver. Towizer chose his son to shame.".
Erlich emphasized "the obvious: I spoke with the father, verified all the information, and confirmed the accuracy of the story and the fact that it was about a needy bride and groom. Incidentally, one of the embarrassed boys in the video is the groom's brother.".
Since the storm broke out on social media, several initiatives have been launched to help the family - and many are donating to the 'bride fund'.
Donations can be made to Y's family: Bank Hapoalim, Safed branch 714, account number 680516 in the name of Miriam
The storm began when Towizer posted a video on her Instagram account showing two yeshiva boys - one 17 years old and the other a 13 and a half year old minor - knocking on her door on the eve of Independence Day and asking for charity for a 'bride's wedding.' Instead of a donation, the reporter and her partner chose to interrogate the young men in front of the camera - and humiliate them, without blurring their faces.
In the video, filmed from the doorway, a man, apparently Tozer's partner, is heard addressing the embarrassed boys in a mocking tone: "Why do you need money from us?""
During the video, Toizer is heard asking: "What's going on? Bringing in a bride? What do you need?", and the guy replies: "Bringing in a bride. Some money for bringing in a bride." When she asked "Why are you bringing in the bride?", the guy replied: "For the wedding.".
Later, Towizer moved on to ask about the boys' ages, and addressed them in a critical tone: "Do you know that at the age of 18 you have to enlist in the army in the State of Israel, on the eve of Independence Day today? Do you know? Do you know the law?" One of the boys tried to answer: "Yes, it's a bit like that with Hasidim... We went to enlist now, it's straight out of liberation now.".
At the end of the recording, Toizer slams the door, saying: "Okay, thank you, have a good day, and see you later." The man next to her is seen smiling at the camera - and says: "Bye, happy holidays.".
The video sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many claiming it was "shaming.".
Towizer eventually removed the video, but did not apologize: "On a personal note: My partner, a reserve officer, returned from Mount Herzl yesterday from a memorial service for 6 of his friends who fell in Lebanon, all of whom, by the way, were religious. We had a pleasant conversation with two 18-year-olds who knocked on our door and asked them why they weren't enlisting.".
""To everyone who wrote to me that I humiliated them - we agree on one thing. Not enlisting in the army during a time like this - is definitely something to be ashamed of.".
