מדינת ישראל כאילו דמוקרטית / Israel the DeMOCKracy

ה׳ לחודש השנים עשר תשע״ח

English follows the Hebrew.

בשבוע שעבר הייתי באוטובוס בתל-אביב בדרך לפגישה, ובמקרה, אני שמעתי טיפות מאיזה שיחה בין שני דוברי אנגלית.

כמובן, אני לא ניסיתי לשמוע את השיחה שלהם, וגם הם לא דיברו בקול רם כל-כך חזק -- כמו האמריקאים המדברים בקול רם חזק באוטובוס תוך כדי הם מתלוננים על הישראלים [ילידי הארץ] שהם טענים שמדברים בקול רם חזק באוטובוס.

בכל אופן, כשאני קמתי כדי לרדת מהאוטובוס, פניתי לבחור שאני שמעתי בשיחה. כנראה הוא החילוני אבל בימים האלה אי אפשר לדעת במאה אחוז. אני אמרתי לו, "סלח לי, אני פשוט רציתי להגיד לך שאני מסכים עם מה שאתה אמרת".

הוא עולה חדש אוסטרלי, והוא אמר לחבר שלו שלא ממש אכפת לו מאוסטרליה, אלא אכפת לו על ישראל כי ישראל הבית שלו ואוסטרליה כבר לא הבית שלו.

הוא חייך, וכנראה הוא גר בארץ תקופת זמן די ארוכה מפני הוא לא הופתע כשמי שהוא לא מכיר פנה אליו ככה. וככה אהחנו נוהגים כאן בארץ. אנשים מדברים באוטובוס אחד עם השני אפילו שלא מכירים. 

הבחור הזה המשיך לדבר והתלונן על שחיתות שלטונית בישראל, ועל איך דבר כזה פוגע בישראל, ושהוא מקווה שהשחיתות הזאת תסתלק מהממשלה.

עניתי לו, "... אני מסכים איתך לחלוטין, אבל למרות שאני מעריך את תקומת המדינה שנתנה לי (לנו) לגור בארץ, השלטון הזה קיים באופן זמני בלבד, מפני בשסופו של דבר ממלכת ישראל תחזור".

(אנחנו היהודים הדתיים מתפללים שלוש פעמים כל יום...

״את צמח דוד, מהרה תצמיח, וקרנו, תרום בישועתך. ברוך אתה ה׳, מצמיח קרן הישועה.״

...או בנוסח דומה כזה, נכון?)

לפי הפרצוף של הבחור, נראה לי שהוא הופתע לגמרי בגלל מה שאני אמרתי.

החלטתי להציל אותו, ואז חייכתי מיד והוספתי, "אם אתה לא מסכים, אז אני ממליץ לך להוליד הרבה ילדים, כדי שיוכלו להצביע בבחירות קולות כנגד הקולות של הילדים שלי שיצביעו להפוך את מערכת הממשלתית שלנו מדמוקרטיה במערכת תורנית".

הוא נראה להרגע. ואז, כשירדתי מהאוטובוס, הוספתי עוד דבר, "לפחות אנחנו יכולים להסכים שזה מגניב ששני אנשים שלא מכירים בכלל יכולים לדבר בשיחה באוטובוס".

הוא חייך, ואני ירדתי מהאוטובוס, ואולי לא נתראה לעולם בעתיד...  

בטח שאני לא מאמין שמערכת הממשלתית שלנו תהפוך להיות מערכת תורנית דרך הבחירות. וברור לי שממשלת מדינת ישראל אינה דמוקרטיה אמיתית בכלל; אלא היא כאילו דמוקרטיה.

כל פעם שיהודי שומר תורה ומצוות מתחיל לעלות על הקרקע תוך כדי פועל לפי הכללים, כוחות השלטון פשוט משנות את הכללים, זורקים אותו על הרצפה ומסלקים אותו מהמשחק. זאת אומרת למנוע אותו מלעלות לתפקיד חשוב במנהיגות.

אנשי מפלגת [כאילו] ימינית ״תחיה״, בסיוע בית המשפט העליון, הצליחו להחרים את הרב מאיר כהנא הי"ד ומפלגת ״כך״ שלו.

ראש הממשלה בנימין נתניהו שינה את כללים של מפלגת הליכוד, וכתוצאה מכך היא מניעת ח"כ לשעבר משה פייגלין מלהיכנס לכנסת פעם שניה.

גם חברי הכנסת אלי ישי ויוני שטבון נמנעו מלהיכנס לכנסת, יחד עם ברוך מרזל, כשהשופט הלא-יהודית התעקש להדבק בכללים מגוחכים ומיושנים לגבי ספירת קולות בבחירות. אם אני זוכר נכון, בית המשפט העליון הישראלי תמך בו. רוב הקולות שנפסלו היו מצביעים למפלגת ישי ושטבון.

לכן, כאשר אנחנו, העם היהודי, סוף סוף נסתדר, נתאחד, ונתארגן, ונתקדם באופן משמעותי בכיוון למערכת ממשלה המבוססת על התורה, לא נראה לי שיתנו לנו להצליח דרך הקלפי.

*הדעה שלי המבוססת על הספר אם הבנים שמחה על ידי הרב יששכר שלמה טייכטל

I was on the bus in Tel-Aviv on the way to a meeting, and caught pieces of a conversation some English speakers were having in back of me.

Now, of course, I wasn't trying to overhear their conversation, and they weren't speaking to loudly either. You know? Like when Americans are speaking too loudly on the bus,...complaining about how [native] Israelis speak too loudly on the bus? (A-hem!) But, that's another topic for another post on another day...

Anyway, as my stop approached and I got up to move toward the door, I looked over to the, apparently secular (but you never know), young man who had been talking, and said, "Excuse me. I just wanted to tell you I agreed with what you were saying."

He cracked a smile, and must have been in Israel for a while, since the intrusion from out of the blue didn't seem to phase him.

He was from Australia, and had said that he didn't really care about Australia, but cared about Israel. Australia wasn't his home.

I told that was what he said that I agreed with.

He continued with complaints about governmental corruption in Israel, how it hurts Israel, and how he hoped it would get cleaned up,... or something like that.

I replied that "...I certainly agreed with that as well, but that even though I had appreciation for the State -- after all, I would be able to live in the Land of Israel if it hadn't been for the State -- the State was only temporary. Eventually, it will be replaced by the Kingdom of Israel."

After all, don't religious ("Orthodox") Jews pray for the return of a kind from the line of David, ie. Mashi'ah?

From his puzzled face, it seemed to me that this caught him off guard.

I decided to let him off the hook, immediately smiled, and added that, "...if don't agree, then I suggest you have lots of children,... so that they can counter the votes of my children. Otherwise, we will eventually democratically vote in this Torah system of government."

And with that, he he seemed to relax. Then, as I was getting off the bus, I added, "At least we can agree that it's cool that two total strangers can have a conversation on the bus."

He smiled

Now, of course, I don't believe that we will be able to vote in a change in system of government. After all, the State of Israel isn't really a democracy; it's a deMOCKracy.

Every time someone begins to gain ground while playing by the rules, the powers that be simply change the rules, and oust him.

The "right-wing" Techiya Party, with the help of the Israeli Supreme Court ousted Rabbi Meir Kahane hy"d.

Prime Minister Netanyahu got the rules changed with the Likud Party, resulting in the prevention of former MK Moshe Feiglin from re-entering the Knesset.

MKs Eli Yishai and Yoni Chetboun were also prevented from re-entering the Knesset, along with Baruch Marzel, when the non-Jewish, elections judge insisted on sticking with ridiculous, outdated rules regarding the counting of ballots. If I remember correctly, the Israeli Supreme Court backed him. The vast majority of disqualified ballots would have been votes for Yishai and Chetboun's party.

So, when we the Jewish People finally get our act together, unify, and move in a significant way toward a Torah-based government, I sincerely doubt that DEMONcratic voting will be successful.

My guess is that the left-wing of the Erev Rav will whip out their foreign passports and get on a place to somewhere,...to anywhere but here.

*my take on Em HaBanim Smeicha by Rabbi Yissachar Shlomo Teichtel.

Israeli Election Shenanigans? Surprised?

ד׳ לחודש הראשון תשע״ה

Reports of alleged shenanigans during the recent, Israeli elections have been streaming in. Calls from Eli Yishai's Yachad Party to join the protest, by adding their names to a petition of declared Yachad voters, has been circulating the Internet. 

Some photos of the shenanigans can be seen in a report on the matter on Yachad's Official Website:

Eli Yishai
Yachad Party Head

Yachad: Battling Over The Truth!
(Esser Agaroth (2¢) Translation)
March 20, 2015

We have received you encouragement! Your support! We feel your outcry, and we have decided, to fight for the truth! Hundreds of declarations of counterfeiting have been brought to our attention. Were you witnesses to any of this? Join the fight! (cont.)

It is pretty easy to have a ballot disqualified. All it takes is a slight ink mark, or even a folded corner, if you can believe it. But, there were much more creative ways employed to go after Yachad voters.

For example, some ballot notes were replaced by fake ones with Baruch Marzel's name on them. Baruch Marzel, on the Yachad list, ran independently in a previous election. This was one of many attempts to confuse and mislead Yachad supporters, with the goal of having as many of their votes disqualified.

Here is another example from Official Yachad (English) Facebook Group, a comparison between real Yachad ballot notes and another fake one found at polling stations. These were later disqualified by official ballot counters.

L: Fake election note "HaRav Eliyahu Yishai"
R: Real ballot note "Eli Yishai"

My sources, who have been in contact with those present at the official recount, claimed that the were about 50,000 ballot notes which had been disqualified. Of those 50,000, 13,000 were for the Yachad Party.

One fourth of the disqualified ballot notes came from one small party? Does that make any sense to you?

Furthermore, reports indicated that the Yachad Party was between 11,000 and 12,000 short of making the minimum threshold to enter the K'nesseth with four mandates.

My educated guess would be that if Yachad had made it in, there would be one less mandate (MK) for the Likud Party, one less mandate for the far left Meretz Party, one less mandate for the Untied Arab Parties, and one less mandate for another party, which would shift the edge to the right, and probably give Prime Minister Netanyahu the option to leave out  supposedly centrist Kulanu (Kachlon) Party from the government he is attempting to form.

As far as any complaints, petitions, and protests against the election results go, I really don't see the point.

I think that today might even be the deadline for the completion of any investigations into complaints about the elections. I'm not sure. But, quite frankly, I don't think it matters. Does Yachad have a chance of winning an appeal? They have a chance at convincing the Supreme Court

As if.

We have seen, time and time again, how Torah-observant Jews have begun to gain ground, sticking to the established rules of Israeli democracy, only to have those rules changed by the government, the justice system, or by party heads themselves, as in the case of Netanyahu vs. outgoing MK Moshe Feiglin. This is one of the reasons why I refer to the system of government of the State of Israel as deMOCKracy.

An additional question remains regarding the alleged, Israeli election shenanigans. Whoever was behind the shenanigans, more likely than not, presents themselves in public as being pro-democracy, yet privately subverts the democratic process, and even justifies it using a totally distorted understanding of democracy.

Were they religiously motivated? Were they anti-religiously motivated? Either way, it all spells the same thing: H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-S-Y. None of us should be in the least bit surprised by this.

Either you believe in democracy, real democracy, or you don't.

Personally, I pray for the time, when we don't have to worry about such things as democracy, or in Israel's case, deMOCKracy.

MK Yoni Chetboun, What Happened?

ז' לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ה

Arutz 7: Otzma Yehudit Reveals Why Yishai Joint List Talks Failed
Ben-Ari's party and Ha'am Itanu discussed joint list to avoid 'lost right-wing votes' - but a Yishai associate allegedly 'torpedoed' it.

Shimon Cohen, Ari Yashar, January 26, 2015

Former MK Dr. Michael Ben-Ari's Otzma Yehudit party and MK Eli Yishai's Yachad - Ha'am Itanu were in last minute talks Sunday night to form a joint list and ensure both parties don't miss out in the coming elections, but apparently those talks have fallen through, and Otzma Yehudit says a person close to Yishai is responsible.

According to a source in Otzma Yehudit, both parties generally agreed on all the major issues that would allow them to run as a technical bloc for the elections and afterwards split while keeping their seats, with Yishai likely joining a Likud-led coalition and Ben-Ari being in the Opposition.

"However, during the negotiations a representative from Yishai's Ha'am Itanu party surprised us and claimed the first four spots are already 'flooded' with knitted kippot (national religious Jews as opposed to haredim - ed.), and there's no room for another knitted kippah in the first four," revealed the source.

A point of friction in the last minute talks was that Ben-Ari requested the fourth and sixth spots on the list, as opposed to just the sixth spot, given that polls have shown without his party Yishai will not make it past the threshold for entering the Knesset, whereas the combined list would get a comfortable seven mandates.

"We were very surprised by the allegations of these words that show a lack of understanding in terms of politics and simple mathematics," added the Otzma Yehudit representative, noting the polls showing Yishai's poor chances running alone.

Given the refusal to give greater representation to Otzma Yehudit above the sixth spot, the party has said it cannot join in a technical bloc, and accuses an unnamed MK connected to Yishai's list, other than Yishai himself, as being responsible for the situation.

According to the Otzma Yehudit source, "we were surprised that instead of showing responsibility, this MK ran from place to place, leaked inaccurate leaks, and tried to torpedo the negotiations by force."

The unnamed MK allegedly said that another point of contention between the parties centered on Otzma Yehudit's insistence that Jewish access to the Temple Mount be a plank in the party's platform, but the Otzma Yehudit source says there is no disagreement on this subject, since Yishai's mentor, Rabbi Meir Mazuz, has already come out in support of ascent to the Temple Mount. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

MK Eli Yishai

"However, during the negotiations a representative from Yishai's Ha'am Itanu party surprised us and claimed the first four spots are already 'flooded' with knitted kippot (national religious Jews as opposed to haredim - ed.), and there's no room for another knitted kippah in the first four," revealed the source.

This is truly one of the silliest thing I have ever heard regarding an election. Unfortunately, and this should be no secret, there is plenty of resistance among mamlakhtim (diehard State loyalists) to any unity with Haredim. The mamlakhtim seemed to be more concerned with what they have in common in regading to their relationship with the State, than with Torah. The so-called Jewish Home Party is a good example of this, open to non-religious candidates, and perhaps even non-Jewish candidates, but to Haredim? And so, there may actually be something practical to what was stated here. Unfortunate, but perhaps practical.

"...MK Yoni Chetboun, who left Jewish Home to join Ha'am Itanu (and is the only MK beside Yishai on the list..."

Looks pretty suspicious to me.

I have written positively about MK Yoni Chetboun (Yachad - Ha'am Itanu), which is rare for me, especially concerning one who has still not completely climbed out of the mamlakhti box.

So, I am more than a little disappointed in Chetboun, if the above report is an accurate one. Sure, I support more "Haredim" on the list. But, you want to be practical, right?

MK Yoni Chetboun

"We won't be dragged to the level of this goading discussion," said Chetboun disparagingly. "We have responsibility towards the nationalist camp and therefore to save the lost votes, we offered him (Ben-Ari) a reserved sixth spot." 

Glossing over the danger that Yishai's independent run will also result in "lost votes", Chetboun continued: "it's a shame he is refusing, insisting time and again to lose votes for the right. Right-wing voters should know and internalize that Ben-Ari's independent run is liable to bring a leftist government of Tzipi (Livni) - Buji (Yitzhak Herzog)."

Ben-Ari will bring many votes that those with crocheted kippoth, you already have on your list. If you do not know this, then you are out of touch with the very people you think are going to vote for you, and you really don't have any being in the K'nesseth.

Yes, the people are coming around, waking up to the severe differences between Torah and State loyalty, and are demonstrating their preference for Torah.

Micha'el Ben-Ari

Regarding the issue of "lost votes," Otzma Yehudit has argued in the past that their ideologically-concerned voters will not have a party to vote for if they do not run, which would mean "lost votes" in any case, and that many religious Zionist voters disappointed with Jewish Home would also not vote at all without them as an alternative.

If the polls are any indication of what the K'nesseth makeup will be like, then the next one will not include either Micha'el Ben-Ari, Eli Yishai, or Yoni Chetboun.

Time to get it together.

Getting to Know Renowned Israeli Author Amos Oz

י"ג לחודש השני תשע"ד

Amos Oz, one of Israel's most renowned authors, had this to say...

YNET: Yes, there are Hebrew neo-Nazi groups

Amos Oz

Op-ed: After sparking a row with his verbal attack on 'price tag' vandals, author Amos Oz explains why he stands behind his comments.

Amos Oz, May12, 2014

I have been talking about the occupation and the settlements from the moral aspect for almost 50 years now. On Friday, during an event at Tzavta (a cultural center in Tel Aviv), I wanted to say something about it from the godly aspect.

If there will not be two states very soon, there will be one state – and it will be an Arab state. And if there is an Arab state, I feel no envy for the Jews who will live in it. It will be one of the most difficult exiles.

Get off Benjamin Netanyahu's case. He is not in control of the government. The Likud's Knesset faction is a faction of radical settlers. Netanyahu is nearly the most leftist person in the Likud's Knesset faction.

The real government in Israel is controlled by the rabbis of the territories, and there is one person to blame for this situation. His name is Yair Lapid, and he has the power to bring this government down whenever he pleases.

The names "price tag" and "hilltop youth" are embellished names. We must look the monster in the eye and call it by its name. We wanted to be a nation like all nations. We hoped that one day there would be a Hebrew thief and a Hebrew prostitute.

We also have Hebrew neo-Nazi groups. There is nothing the modern neo-Nazis in Europe are doing that these groups are not doing here.

The only difference may stem from the fact that our neo-Nazi groups enjoy the support of quite a few nationalistic, perhaps even racist, lawmakers, as well as a few rabbis who provide them with a foundation which I see as pseudo-religious. This is, in my opinion, the great difference between the Jews and the Jews' words.

I considered the comments I made at Tzavta carefully. When I address an audience, I plan for hours and think about every word. I am a man of words. This is my profession.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Let's examine some of the statements of Amos Oz, point by point, in order to get know this renowned, Israeli author...

"The Likud's Knesset faction is a faction of radical settlers."
I only wish this were true!

"Netanyahu is nearly the most leftist person in the Likud's Knesset faction."
Possibly, but irrelevant. Like most politicians, I believe that Netanyahu is neither Leftist nor Rightist, but Netayahuist.

"The real government in Israel is controlled by the rabbis of the territories..."
 Once again,... I wish this were true! ...well,...some of these rabbis, the ones who put Torah before the State, and no, not all of them do.

"We wanted to be a nation like all nations." 
Not I! However, Oz does state quiet accurately, the unfortunate truth regarding the Western, assimilationist, Labor Zionist, Ashkenazy, secular elite, a proud segment of the Erev Rav.

"We also have Hebrew neo-Nazi groups. There is nothing the modern neo-Nazis in Europe are doing that these groups are not doing here."
Hmm...if Jews who write graffiti on buildings and other structures, then I wonder what Amos Oz calls the Arabs who murder Jews, and call for the annihilation of Israel?

PA President Mahmud Abbas and his fantasy map!

Friends?

Former Chief IDF Rabbi Ronsky Appears to have Completely Lost It

ערב ראש החודש הראשון תשע"ד

YWN: Rabbi Ronsky: We Have More in Common with Lapid than with the Chareidim
(Sunday, March 23rd, 2014)

Rabbi Gen. Avichai Ronsky

Clearly little has been learned by some members of the dati leumi community as former IDF Chief Rabbi Avichai Ronsky is quoted saying that his community still has more in common with the secularists and Yesh Atid than with the chareidim.

Using his Facebook page to get the message out, Rabbi Ronsky on Sunday, 21 Adar II explained the common denominator between the dati leumi and secular community represented by Yair Lapid. Ronsky feels the political deal reached between Yesh Atid and Bayit Yehudi was mutually beneficial, leading to betterment for each party and collectively for the state.

MK Yoni Chetboun

Rabbi Ronsky feels that with all the machlokes, Yesh Atid and Bayit Yehudi are on the same page regarding key issues, including education, the nation’s economy, national defense and “the other issues pertaining to the State of Israel” while the same cannot be said regarding Bayit Yehudi and the chareidim.

For some, Rabbi Ronsky’s words come as a surprise while for others; the cat is out of the bag.

In his post Ronsky also used the opportunity to criticize MK Yoni Chetboun for violating coalition discipline and voting against the new draft law.

Rabbi Ronsky feels the headlines in the chareidi media resulted in additional support for one who compromised party unity and such a reality is needless and damaging.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
In the past Rabbi Ronsky had made what have seemed to be very appropriate Torah statements, appropriate statements which have appropriately enraged Leftists and pseudo-Right wing, die-hard State loyalists alike. These appropriate statements have included:

1. Saving a wounded enemy terrorist's life may only be done under limited circumstances, such as for the sake of obtaining intelligence information which may save Jewish lives. (Rabbi Me'ir Kahane hy"d made similar statements.)

2. It is forbidden to rely on the United States of America.

3. Jewish women do not need to serve in the IDF. (Well,...close, but no cigar.)

Rabbi Ronsky has also been called an example of those who "cause racist and extremist incitement." In other words, even though he IS a rabbi, how dare he cite halakhah (Jewish Law)!

And now, he identifies more with God-less, Statists, than with Stateless religious, who keep Shabbath, like he does, who keep dietary laws like he does, pray three times a day, fulfill the misswoth of tzitzith and tefillin like he does, look to The Almighty as their Creator and ultimate Authority over everything they do and say,....not like he does???

So, what the heck happened? I have no clue. Maybe he was always this loyal to the State and to the un-Jewish, Israeli deMOCKratic system of government it possess, and I was just too blind to see it.

Yair Lapid
Finance Minister and Yesh Atid Party Chief

Still, to have jumped all the way over from there to here, either he has been influenced,...in one way or another, or he has completely lost it.

Haredi Draft Bill Passes: Now What?

י' לחודש השנים עשר תשע"ד

Well, even though the Haredi Draft issue has never really been about the Haredi Draft, the Haredi Draft Bill passed the K'nesseth with 65 MK's voting in favor.... No surprises here.

YNET: With a near-empty plenum, Israel approves haredi draft Legislation compels yeshiva students to enlist for national service or face penalty.
Haredi MK: This is a black day, we will not forget or forgive Netanyahu

March 12, 2014

Israel News A near-deserted Knesset on Wednesday passed controversial legislation to draft ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students into the army, after a political row saw the opposition boycott the vote. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

(Photo Credit: used with Anonymous Facebook Friend's permission)

MK Yoni Chetboun
(Jewish Home Party)

MK Yoni Chetboun (Jewish Home) was the only government coalition member to vote against this bill. Whether you agree with his vote or not, you have to handed to him for standing by his principles over the fear of the possible loss of his seat in government the next go around.

Previously, I mentioned MK Chetboun's railing on Yesh Atid Party Leader and Finance Minster Yair Lapid for his offensive comments directed toward the State of Israel's Chief Rabbis.

So, at least one more MK appears to have some principles, and who stands by them.

I believe that the Israeli Government will eventually come to regret its decision, training all those Torah-observant Jews to use weapons, Jews who see The Almighty and His Holy Torah as their ultimate authority, and not the State.

The State's minyons will no doubt attempted its most sophisticated brainwashing indoctrination techniques on these young men, and they will fail!

In honor of the upcoming Purim holiday, I will relay what I heard was said in a Me'ah She'arim restaurant. Me'ah She'arim is a Jerusalem neighborhood whose residents can be safely said to be virtually 100% against the draft of their Haredi sons.

One Hassidishe man suggested to a friend of mine that the government should take all Haredi yeshivah students into the Israeli Defense Forces [IDF]. The IDF commanders will simply not be able to handle their various demands.

This one eats Rav Mahpud, this one She'aris Yisroel, this one Rav Landau, and this one Bet Yosef.

This one waits three hours after eating meat before dairy, this one six hours.

This one davens minhah now, and this one later.

This one holds by Rabbeinu Tam's end of Shabbath time, and this one does not, not too mention the possible need for five minyanim on Shabbath! This one accepts dancing, and this one does not.

Will the Prayer for the State be a requirement in schul?

Come Pesah (Passover), the eating of matzah meal based and/or qitniyoth (legumes) based foods will come up.

Hanukkah, too. This one lights inside by the door, and at this time and this one lights at the window at a different time, and this one lights outside.

The bottom line is that even though Yair Lapid has said that Haredim will be taken only some at a time, no doubt to ease the Erev-Rav controlled State's brainwashing indoctrination process, the IDF is just not ready, unless, of course, they have already decided to play hardball with the new recruits, and plan on being very, very, very nasty.

What's Stopping French Jews from Moving to Israel?

י"ח לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ד

Arutz 7: Main Obstacle to French Aliyah: Non-Recognition of Diplomas
New Knesset Caucus for Olim from France discusses urgent need to remove obstacles to aliyah from France.

Gil Ronen, January 16, 2014

MK Yoni Chetboun
(Jewish Home)

The Knesset Caucus for Olim from France and Francophones in Israel was inaugurated Wednesday in the Knesset. The caucus is an initiative of MK Yoni Chetboun (Bayit Yehudi), who will head it.

About 100 of the leaders of the organizations of immigrants from France attended the event, as did Absorption Minister Sofa Landver, Immigration Ministry Director Oded Forer, Jewish Agency Director Josh Schwartz, World Zionist Federation Chairman Avraham Duvdevani, French MP Meir Haviv, Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon (Likud Beytenu) and MKs Nissan Slomiansky, Shuli Moallem and Orit Struk of Bayit Yehudi, Karine Elharar and Rabbi Dov Lipman of Yesh Atid, and the Head of the Etzion Bloc Regional Council, Davidi Perl.

MK Chetboun, who was born into a family that made aliyah from France, said that the caucus intends to bring about practical and immediate change, to speed up the aliyah of French Jews. “The urgency is great,” he warned, “and it is important to understand is a national project that the government of Israel, with all of its ministers, must take upon itself.”

Chetboun said that at present, mistaken policies are blocking the potential stream of olim from France. “You can't expect aliyah and prevent it at the same time,” he added.

Minister Landver said that an inter-ministerial committee to encourage aliyah from France is currently being readied. “This is the window of opportunity,” she declared. “If we do not remove the obstacles, Jews will not immigrate to Israel.”

Director Forer said that while 60% of French Jews are considering emigrating, half of those prefer not to go to Israel.

One of the major obstacles to aliyah is the difficulty in getting diplomas and degrees recognized, mostly in medical professions...

...About 200,000 olim from France and French speaking countries, recent and veteran, live in Israel. In 2013 alone, 3,120 Jews made aliyah – a 63% rise from 2012. Unlike previous years – more olim came from France than from the US, and the trend is expected to gain strength.
Esser Agaroth (2¢):
I actually got wind of this issue on the bus a few weeks ago, when I heard a French Jew explain to some American college students that the French Baccalaureate was not accepted in Israel. I was surprised, because when I arrived in Israel, and lived with 300 college students in Tel Aviv, my understanding is that the French Baccalaureate was the only diploma accepted in Israel.

This meant that Jews from Morocco also had it made if they had been enrolled in a school which followed that system of study and examinations, examinations which are well-known, world-wide to be quite grueling. American and Canadian diplomas were virtually worthless, except for the receiving of an exemption in English, and perhaps other courses which could be skipped through examination.

Well, it is nice to know that MK's are actually trying to do something about it.

If this is the "major obstacle," it gets removed, and then French Jews come en masse, then fantastic. If they still decide to stick around France, or move elsewhere, then I am not what I can say to that, except that we tried.

The WZF Chair also mentioned the need to improve Jewish identity among French Jews. I believe that is also important, and could help.

I recommend a French Birthright type program. That way the Jewish identity of the French youth can be connected with the building of their connection to the Land of Israel.

I am happy to hear that increases in aliyah from France are expected to continue. However, I also believe very strongly that increases in violence targeting Jews will continue as well. And so, I do not think that we have that much time to achieve the implementation of one or two, super programs.

Yair Lapid vs. Israel's Chief Rabbis: Any Bets?

י"ד לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ד

ערוץ 7: שטבון ללפיד: התנצל בפני הרבנים הראשיים

"ישראל היא מדינה יהודית", הזכיר שטבון לשר האוצר בעקבות דבריו נגד הרבנים. "הם לא 'עובדי מדינה' אלא מנהיגי ציבור ופוסקי הלכה".

חזקי עזרא, י"א בשבט תשע"ד, 12/01/1

ח"כ יוני שטבון (הבית היהודי) שיגר היום (ראשון) מכתב חריף לשר האוצר יאיר לפיד בו גינה את דבריו נגד הרבנים הראשיים ודרש ממנו להתנצל.

ביום שישי האחרון תקף השר לפיד בדף הפייסבוק שלו את הרבנים הראשיים לישראל, הרב יצחק יוסף והרב דוד לאו. "הרבנים הראשיים לישראל הודיעו שהם אוסרים על בנות להתגייס לצבא, זוהי חוצפה ושערורייה לאומית", כתב לפיד.

אלא שלא בכך הסתפק שר האוצר והצהיר "אנחנו נפעל לפיטוריהם בכנסת ובממשלה ואם צריך גם במישור המשפטי", כך דברי לפיד שסיים בקביעה כי "דוד לאו ויצחק יוסף אינם ראויים עוד לכהן כרבנים ראשיים."

חבר הכנסת שטבון ראה את הדברים בחומרה ושיגר מכתב לשר לפיד. "לא יעלה על הדעת כי כך ידבר שר בישראל. זוהי שערורייה לנהוג כך בכבודה של תורה, ואני קורא לך לחזור בך ולהתנצל בפני הרבנים הראשיים."

"ישראל אינה צרפת או גרמניה, ישראל היא מדינה יהודית", הזכיר שטבון לשר האוצר. "הרבנים הראשיים בישראל אינם 'עובדי מדינה' אלא מנהיגי ציבור ופוסקי הלכה. מי שרוצה לנהוג ברבנים כעובדי מדינה, לא יעשה כן במדינה יהודית". אני קובל על הסגנון, על הבוטות ועל הזלזול בכבוד הרבנים הראשיים".

ח"כ שטבון אמר אחר הצהריים כי לפיד ומפלגתו מבקשים ''לנתק'' את הדת מהמדינה וקרא למנהיגות הציבורית והרבנית "שלא לשחק לידיהם של אלו המבקשים לטשטש את הזהות היהודית של המדינה."

Esser Agaroth (2¢) Translation:

Arutz 7: Chetboun to Lapid: Apologize in front of the Chief Rabbis
"Israel is a Jewish state," Chetboun reminded the Finance Minister [Lapid] on the tail of his words against the Rabbis. "They are not employees of the State' rather community leaders and rulers on issues of Jewish Law."

Chezki Ezra, January 12, 2014

Rabbi Yitzhaq Yosef and Rabbi David Lau
Israel's Chief Rabbis

MK Yoni Chetboun (Jewish Home) sent a harsh letter today (Sunday) to Finance Minister Yair Lapid in which he admonished his words against the Chief Rabbis and demanded that he apologize.

Yair Lapid
Finance Minister and Yesh Atid Party Chief

Last Friday Minister Lapid attacked the Chief Rabbis of Israel, Rabbi Yitzhaq Yosef and Rabbi David Lau, on his Facebook page. "The Chief Rabbis of Israel have announced that they forbid girls from enlisting in the army; This is hutzpah (gall), and a national scandal," wrote Lapid.

But that was not enough for the Minister of Finance, and so he stated, "We will work toward their dismissals in the K'nesseth and in the government, and if need be, in the legal arena", said Lapid finishing with the assertion that "David Lau  and Yitzhaq Yosef are no longer fit to serve in the positions of Chief Rabbis."

MK Yoni Chetboun
(Jewish Home)

MK Chetboun saw Lapid's words in a severe light, and sent a letter the Minister Lapid, "It is inconceivable that an Israeli minister would speak in this manner. It is scandalous to behave in such a way when it comes to respect for the Torah, and I urge you to retract your statements, and apologize to the Chief Rabbis." 

"Israel is not France or Germany, Israel is a Jewish state," Chetboun reminded the finance minister." The chief rabbis in Israel are not 'civil servants," but community leaders and authorities in Jewish Law. Whoever wants to drive treat rabbis like civil servants, should not do so in a Jewish state." My complaint is about the style, and the blatant disregard for the respect of the Chief Rabbis."

This afternoon MK Chetboun said that Lapid and his party seek to ''cut off'' the religion from the country and called for community and rabbinic leadership "not to play into the hands of those seeking to blur the Jewish identity of the state."

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

Rabbi Shai Piron, Minister of (Re-)Education
Boy, that face sure inspires confidence, doesn't it?
(Photo Credit: Yo'av Dudekevitch)

It seems that Lapid believes that deciding that the halakhah (Jewish Law) goes against Israeli Law, and then going public with it is grounds for dismissing the Chief Rabbis of Israel.

MK Chetboun, on the other hand, believes that the Chief Rabbis are independent from the Israeli Government? Whose payroll are they on? As long as they are elected by, and connected to, the State, they are anything but independent.

I wish that MK Chetboun was correct, but he is not. He is either naive, or just forgot to do his homework. He needs to realize, if has not already, that there are MANY stiroth (conflicts) between the Torah and Israeli Law, and that, like every other Jew in this Land, he will have to make up his mind as to which he is more committed to following. It will soon be impossible to follow both simultaneously.

Lapid at the Conservatives Bash, 2012
"Anyone interested in breaking the
'Orthodox monopoly' in Israel?"

On the other hand, MK Chetboun was quite right in admonishing Lapid, and he was right on the mark when it comes to Lapid's objectives, and which I already warned you about in "Lapid's Attack On Torah.". The only difference between Lapid and his father, Shinu'i Party founder Yosef "Tommy" Lapid, is that the younger seems to be more effective at communicating his message, having learned from his father's mistakes. Of course, after this latest incident, it appears that Yair Lapid be slipping.

Gee, I wonder how one of Lapid's token "rabbis" feels about this? I mean MK Dov Lipman, of course. Rabbi Shai Piron, the Minister of RE-Education is a committed mamlakhti (undying state loyalist), and is thus a lost cause.

Yair Lapid and Rabbi MK Dov Lipman

Rabbi MK Dov Lipman, on the other hand, who I previously suggested might be like one of the spies from Parashath Sh'lakh Lekha, may tow the party line when it comes to state loyalty. But, I am not so that he is willing to go as far as Piron, when it comes to decisions, which even he believes are Torah based. In other words, it will interesting to see how Lipman reacts if Lapid follows through on his threats, and has the Chief Rabbis fired because they dare to follow a higher authority that the State!

Finally, this conflict between Lapid and Chetboun begs the question, to what degree is the tension building up between the two political partners, Yesh Atid and Jewish Home? Is this just a bump on the road to a beautiful and loyal relationship? Or is it a hint of things to come?

Israeli Supreme Court Justices
with President Shimon Peres
(Photo Credit: Orel Cohen)

Speaking of bets, I'll bet that, meanwhile, the Israeli Supreme Court Justices are sitting back with some coffee, and enjoying the show. The K'nesseth and Rabbis will battle it out, and the Supreme Court will come out as the winner, and continue safely legislating from the Bench. That's safely, as in no one will be the wiser.

Of course, the one who always wins is Torah. Our stubbornness just gets in the way most of the time.

No Difference Between These Arabs and Those Arabs

כ"ג לחודש העשירי תשע"ד

Arutz 7: Latest 'Trickling Terror,' 2 Jerusalem Arabs Run Over Cop
In latest of series of terror attacks, 2 Jerusalem Arabs arrested after car chase for running over police officer.

Ari Yashar, December 25, 2013

In the latest attack in what MK Yoni Chetboun (Jewish Home) has termed "trickling terror," two Arab residents of the Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiya ran over a police officer who stopped them following a car chase Tuesday night.

Hebrew University and adjacent Isawiya neighborhood

The driver had ignored police orders to stop while driving near Issawiya. In the ensuing car chase a police car managed to stop the car at the southern entrance to the neighborhood.

Immediately after the car was stopped, it drove in reverse to hit an officer who had stepped out of the police car.

The officer, still conscious, was evacuated to nearby Hadassah Mt. Scopus Hospital, while the two suspects were arrested and brought in for investigation.

In early December Arutz Sheva reported on Hebrew University students' complaints of increasing attacks emanating from adjacent Issawiya. One student said Arab residents had turned the campus into a "war zone." Indeed, the attacks and harassment have been reported on for years.

The attack comes amid a wave of terror attacks, which statistics show have spiked since November with the resumption of peace talks....

...Following the [Bat Yam bomb] attack Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who has been placed in charge of peace talks with the Palestinian Authority (PA), said the terrorism should be ignored and talks should continue.

On Saturday and Friday IDF forces clashed with terrorists on the Gaza border, as the terrorists threw rocks, fired mortars and tried to plant explosives on the security fence.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
I have no idea what MK Yoni Chetboun (Jewish Home) means by "trickling terror." But, then again, I rarely understand what MK's from the Jewish Home Party say anyway.

"student said Arab residents had turned the campus into a "war zone." Indeed, the attacks and harassment have been reported on for years."

This sounds like a heck of a lot more than a trickle, especially considering recent events.

How many times must we repeat the cycle of beefing up security after a terrorist attack, become complacent, and then BOOM! There goes another one.

Only 12 years ago, a bomb was set off in the Hebrew University Commons, killing Jews. The bomb was placed there by Arab employees. How much do you want a bet that Hebrew University continues to employ Arabs? Two months before this bomb attack, there was a suicide bomb attack around the corner in French Hill, which killed seven Jews.

An artificial line drawn by some goyshe (non-Jewish) international organization does not cause a distinction to be formed between the Arabs one side of the line and the Arabs on the other side of the line.

There are one and the same. Being from one warring clan or another, or originating from Syria or Egypt, does not make them any less our enemy.

It seems that MK Limor Livnat knows there isn't any difference, at least deep down inside she does. Her nephew from Elon Moreh in the Shomron (Samaria), not far from Shchem, was murdered by one. Here in this recent video, albeit unrelated to the recent terrorist attacks, she rails on Arab MK's.


(Video Tip: Life In Israel)

Arab MK's have continually shown their support for Israel's destruction.

A New Beit Midrash In The Knesset?

י' לחודש השנים עשר תשע"ג

Life In Israel: New Beit Medrash In The Knesset
What do you think of this?

MK Rabbi Shai Peron (Yesh Atid) and MK Dr. Ruth Calderon (Yesh Atid), along with MKs Yoni Chetboun (HaBayit HaYehudi) and MK Elazar Stern (HaTnua), are planning on establishing a Beit Medrash program in the Knesset.

The purpose of the program will be for MKs and Knesset employees to learn some Torah once a week, on Tuesdays, and to have discussions about Judaism.

Every week a different MK will take a turn leading the discussion, teaching a talmudic topic.

According to Kipa, the haredi parties have not yet decided whether to participate or not.

Looks to me to be a good idea...

it brings new meaning to the phrase Ki Mi'Tzion Teitzei Torah - From Zion will come forth Torah. This would be the heart of Zion and specifically Zionism that would be teaching Torah...

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
A good idea?  From Zion will come forth Torah?

It depends on what you mean by Torah. If MK Calderon and MK Stern are involved, I wouldn't be so sure that what they mean by Torah is what I mean by Torah.

Let's take a look at who's involved...

Rb. Shai Peron - Mamlakhti (undying State loyalist) credentials include: Shavei Hevron Yeshivah, Herzog College, the Israeli Democratic Institute, the Dovrat Education Commission, and membership in Tzohar.

Yoni Chetboun - I don't know enough about this MK to comment.  So, for now, let it be known that I'll be keeping a close eye on him.

Maj. Gen. Elazar Stern (ret.) - collaborator in throwing Jews out of their homes seven and a half years ago, and handing over their lands to Hamasastan, lead destroyer of the IDF Hesder Yeshiva program.

...and last, but certainly not least....

Dr. Ruth Calderon - "Secular Talmud Scholar" (Translation: Let's manipulate the words of HaZa"L in order to justify doing what she wants.), co-founder of Elul, the first Israeli, secular, pluralistic and egalitarian Bet Midrash.

"...secular, pluralistic and egalitarian?"

That pretty much says it all, since none of these three concepts are in the least bit related to the Torah.

Yeah, this'll be some "Beit Midrash," alright!