A newspaper in Shaham wrote against Haredi people coming to the city park. And what happened was amazing.

August 18, 2024   

''Shomah Plus Newspaper', a newspaper published by the Shoham local council, published an article - under the headline "Unexpected guests occupy Hadarim Park in Shoham every evening" - about the ultra-Orthodox residents of Elad, who come during the 'in-between' days to stroll in the community. The article was also published on the newspaper's Facebook account. However, the angry reactions of the council's residents caused the article to be removed from the site, after hundreds of residents wrote against "free hate" and declared that they were "happy for the guests." The article reported: "Unexpected guests are currently crowding the beautiful Hadarim Park, which was inaugurated only a short time ago. A minority of local residents are present there, while many hundreds of ultra-Orthodox are crowding the lawns and playgrounds. "They arrive as entire families - fathers, mothers, children and babies. In many cases, they arrive in organized transportation companies from the neighboring city of Elad and stay in the community until the night. Some walk along the paths, others sit on the benches, and the children concentrate on the play equipment that is set up there. "The outer clothing betrays that they are guests from outside: girls and young women in modest clothing, buttoned up from head to toe, while the men stand out with their beards, curly wigs, black kippahs, and black suits, which are characteristic of ultra-Orthodox audiences." The newspaper also reported that "Ultra-Orthodox guests are occasionally seen in the Havlan Park, but the difference is in scale, and it is clear that the park in the Hadarim neighborhood, with its facilities and impressive fish ponds, makes the place an attraction and a preferred alternative for entertainment." The newspaper article emphasized that "it is common to assume that outside guests can strengthen the shops and the local economy. This is not entirely accurate. Visitors are driven to the settlement with their own food and do not shop in Shoham. Elad is cheap in almost everything, and it is not at all certain that the local kashrut meets their requirements." According to the report, "Among the residents of Hadarim, not everyone is impressed by the matter. Some claim that they do not feel comfortable and have no room left in the complex. In these conditions, it is not so pleasant to walk around in revealing summer clothing. Still, the vast majority of Hadarim residents show tolerance and treat visitors with a kind attitude of hospitality. "On the other hand, the patrols in the community policing vehicle are present on site and monitor from a distance, to ensure that the guests do not feed the fish in the ecological ponds and to ensure their safety." The author of the article took the trouble to note that "it is not clear whether this phenomenon characterizes the last days of summer when many are on vacation, or whether during the year the residents of Elad will also see the local park as a favorite recreation site." The comments to the article presented the 'beautiful face' of them. Firefighter Ido Banias responded: "They are Jews and they are part of us and they are our guests, and the residents of Hadarim Park receive them very well. The descriptions in the article are the product of the writer's imagination and do not touch on the general. Happy times." Gal Katan Gilba, an employee of the Southern District Attorney's Office, wrote: "The guests are 'unexpected,' but the article is as expected. Guests do not occupy, but are hosted. To the best of my memory, this is a public park just like public parks in other cities that the writer of the article has probably 'occupied' more than once. How fun that more families and children can enjoy our beautiful community! And how disgusting on the other hand." Liana Izmirli responded: "What a low level. You learned nothing from 7.10. Simply shameful. Free hatred. Sad that this is what our children read and see." Yuval Rahamim wrote: "A real article from 1936..." Kadia Kraus: "It's a shame to create division, how fun that people come to this lovely place we live in. How fun that our children meet children who sometimes look a little different from them. Why look at it negatively? In times like these, let's seek unity and not division!" Omer Tayeb: "A disgraceful article, racism for its own sake, gratuitous hatred, an embarrassing article, and maybe you are our unexpected guest, just be ashamed of yourself." Roi Zimmerman: "A real article in a German newspaper somewhere in dark times." Itzik Malka wrote: "Thank God we have such guests, a little sanctity in Shoham... good and pleasant people." Iris Shriki Ben David suggested: "Before a civil war breaks out!! I suggest that you, the newspaper's reporters and editors, repair the enormous damage you have done and issue a letter/article of apology!!! In such difficult times, what is the point of such division?? Even in favorable times, things seem as if they were cut from a newspaper from the time of Nazi Germany." Eyal Fruchter responded: "Shame on the newspaper and shame on the writer. I shuddered to read it. Reminds me of Germany in the dark years." Oz Schwartz suggested: "All members of the council, including the council president, must issue a strong condemnation of this despicable article. Even with all the disagreements with the Haredi sector, we are brothers." Eva Franco Cohen: "Remove a follower from a page that promotes gratuitous hatred!!!" Ido Bokobza: "Maybe you should exchange a word with them, they will teach you a lesson." Elad Hadad: "It's fun to see them having fun and to hear and see the laughter and happiness of the children!" Sima Legali-vidzer: Shame and disgrace that these days, instead of uniting and bringing together, you are busy dividing the people. All Israelis are welcome and deserve to visit all the parks of the State of Israel, including Shoham. I suggest that you show compassion and gratuitous love!" Yaffe Sinai demanded: "Unnecessary, unnecessary. Delete the post and apologize. Gratuitous hatred." Dana Nuriel: "This is what is called gratuitous hatred... We are all Jews and especially in these troubling days, we must show patience and empathy.... A failed and shameful article." Frieda Raz: "The 'guests' come every summer to our beautiful town to all the nice parks, and every year there are scandals about it. Go to Bnei Brak and Mea Shearim on Thursday evenings and you will discover that crowds of secular people are touring the city's alleys in organized groups without interference. Please, let this pass and don't let the draft affect this. Continue to hang out in the park as you usually do and don't forget that we have bigger troubles and problems than these. In the hope of better and more beautiful days than these." Itai Ben David fumed: "Listen, your brains are screwed, what is this disgusting thing? What are animals? Shame on you." Havi Philosof recalled: "My mother remembered and said that when she was at the entrance to the parks there were signs: 'No dogs and Jews allowed'... Secretary? Ravit Smeka Bokera was shocked: "Wow, what a shocking article. As if they were writing about 'wild boars' and not about people who come to enjoy themselves and be impressed. Shame on you." Moses Tsabag: "Unbelievable!!! Racism, hatred, and disgust! All little kids playing on the playgrounds, wow! Writing things like this is crazy. We're not in Germany! A country of Jews. Listen carefully, let them come wherever they want and whenever they want, whoever is bothered by it sitting at home." Tal Peretz: "They want the Haredim to be part of Israeli society, but when they come, they are rejected. Shame!" Amiran Talias: "Free hatred for nothing - simply shame. I wish more righteous, cute, good people like this would come here." Dina Lahav was furious: "This is free hatred. What bothers you? What, do they have horns? What are they lepers? Shame on you." Yechi Elmakais: "And where's the problem? They're much more welcome than you, that's for sure! 'Your destroyers and your destroyers will come out of you.'" Attorney Yechiel Vaknin, a social activist in Elad, responded: "As a resident of Elad, I was excited to read the healthy responses here. You have proven that you are lovers of people (and brothers) and welcome guests. It seems that something really changed in us for the better after October 7th." Tair Malka responded: "They said it all in the comments, I will just add... In the Shoham anthem it says: And in the sweetness of her gait, Shoham blesses her sons, and those who come through her gates." If any of the guests read the post, know: We are happy that you love Shoham and come. This is not at anyone's expense and the article does not represent the majority. You are welcome." Yitzhak Challah, a member of the Elad City Council from the 'Our Elad' faction, responded: "It's amazing to see the reactions of the dear residents to this shocking article. As a resident of Elad and a public activist (even before I was a member of the Elad City Council), I get to work a lot on joint charity projects with many residents of the city. I also got to work publicly with the previous head of the council, council members, public activists, and more. "Many of Elad's residents work in Shaham, I personally often shop, dine, and sit with friends in Shaham... I've never felt like a stranger. After this article, maybe... (NB: there are great restaurants and bakeries). Along with the shock of the article, it's fun to see the residents react. We are brothers (and neighbors)... Only together will we win!"'