Opinion
Capitulation not an option
Yair Lapid
Published: 17.06.10, 15:05
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1. Ignorance is bliss, Mr. Lapid.
Roman ,   Lod, Israel   (06.17.10)
MK Gafni was comparing the actions of the Supreme Court and the pictures that would result from its ruling to the actions of the Soviet Union, which sent parents to prison for daring to teach their children religion. And how about we turn to more factual information. Like how these Hassidic parents would gladly set up a school with no state funding whatsoever - the Supreme Court didn't let them. Or about how many of the children on both sides of the "fence" were Sephardic, in those two schools supposedly separated down racial lines. But hey, so long as you can bash the Haredim without any due concern for reality, Yair. You're good at that.
2. Nothing New!!!!!
Harry ,   Jerusalem   (06.17.10)
Yair, you think you are slick, as you start slow, soft spoken, then the usual kill phrases, which sum you up as yet another Jew Hater. Examples: "a bunch of racists". By the way, what is Holy in your view? "heartless gang"..."blatant and shameless extortion"....Why don't you start writing about Your culture, Your society, I would be interested why you think you are better in living a better lifestyle. Did you forget: WE ARE JEWISH. We have a Torah to guide us. What guides you? I am still worried about your son.Change the tone, dude, we see right thru you.
3. emmanuel
chaya ,   yerushalyim   (06.17.10)
It seems to me that as usual there is a lot of misrepresentation by the press in efforts to "pick o"chareidim. first to clarify I am not chareidi. \but in reading the full articles & the quotes of various people involved in this mess, THERE ARE SEPHARDIC STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL!!!!!!!!! The student was rejected because the family did not meet the religious requirements of the school, that's it, & look at what the media has turned it into! In a democracy,each person, school is allowed to establish their religious standard & it's up to the applicant to choose a location that fits their lifestyle, not expect the school to adjust for them. Who needs enemies when we have people like those of the media to do their job!!!
4. Secular racists are protesting racism. LOL!
Secular Hypocrisy   (06.17.10)
when the issue of Emanuel is not even racism as there is no racism involved. Secular racists who cannot tolerate religious Jews, in general, and chareidim, in particular, are, as usual, distorting the news.
5. Yes, Lapid will make a revolusion, like his father
tanya ,   tel aviv israel   (06.17.10)
did. This guy is zero, a big zero. How many idiots will step on the same rake twice?
6. :: Just to play devil’s advocate (repost)
Matty Groves ,   Fairport   (06.17.10)
According to the previous rulings by the Israeli high court: 1) The Palestinian territories (WB, Gaza and E Jerusalem) are held by the State of Israel in belligerent occupation (as per Israeli high court ruling in the Beit Sourik Case) 2) As such the *only* rule of law in these areas is (Israeli) *military law* (as well of course International Law) as the State of Israel has no sovereign over these lands (again as per Israeli high court ruling in the Beit Sourik Case). 3) “Israeli civil law does not apply in these (occupied Palestinian) areas” (as per Israeli high court ruling - June 2005). Thus the Israeli Secular Gov has no (legal/sovereign) right to impose any Israeli civil law or rulings in these areas and by extension to any person(s) in these occupied areas. In short Israeli civil law is only applicable to the parents from Emmanuel once they enter Israel proper.
7. Yair spews lies, as usual
Kyle ,   Southpark, CO, USA   (06.17.10)
How many times has it been repeated that this school does not "discriminate" by race or ethnicity. THERE ARE SEPHARDIC STUDENTS ENROLLED AT THE SCHOOL. The school claims the right to enroll students based on the family's level of observance. My kids, if I had kids, would also be rejected because I own a TV.
8. State funded school
Madeleine ,   Israel   (06.17.10)
When the state funds the school, the state calls the tune - quite simple. As for the vicious and violent haredi demonstrations - I'd like to see how they'd be treated by the police in any other (democratic) country. they'd fare a lot worse than they do now with their rabid calls of 'Nazi', their bin-burning and their screaming insults. Quite honestly, Idon't see why they should get one penny from the state if they are not working at least part-time.
9. Capitulation to Haredi violence not an option...
Joe ,   Ramat Gan   (06.17.10)
... but capitulation to Arab violence is? More nonsense and double standards from the loony Left.
10. Now we see the real face of the Chareidim
Robert Haymond ,   Israel/Canada   (06.17.10)
Time to protest but no time to work. Energy to confront but none to protect the country. Chareidim have become a mass political movement in Israel with its own agenda. If they are victorious, then the whole country might as well give itself up. Personally, I and my family will not capitulate to their protest..
11. Yair
michael Pielet ,   boca raton, Israel   (06.17.10)
Yair supports the rule of law, only when the rule of law supports his political opinions. The high court supports a leftist, cheloni, viewpoint to the detriment of those people who are religious and believe in the land of Israel, for the people of Israel. How about some diversity, more religious people and people living in Judea and Samaria on the high court. Result, Yair will be complaining about high court decisions that he does not like.
12. wake up Yair
Israel Israeli ,   Tel Aviv   (06.17.10)
There is no "rule of law" Yair, and that is the problem. Mazuz closed the corruption cases against Sharon and Barak despite ample evidence and didn't see Olmert's Holyland skyscrapers but pursued Lieberman for years without any charges, even arresting his daughter. A 14 year old girl was sent to jail for 3 months for refusing to recognize a Kfar Saba court, even Bagatz itself said this is illegal. A 17 year old girl was imprisoned, even though the man she allegedly attacked testified that he was not attacked and that the police lied. Bagatz ruled that Jews must be allowed to pray on the Temple Mount but the police ignore Bagatz. Yitzak Herskowic waited 17 years to get his land from illegal squatters despite three court decisions in his favor, because the police refused to follow court orders.
13. Personally, I have my own theory.
Terry ,   Eilat - Israel   (06.17.10)
The Court has a political agenda, this is undeniable. I question the Court's motives since from what I've read in other sources, this is not at all about racism or discrimination, there are Sephardi students enrolled at this school. Also, the school had planned to stop accepting gov't. money at the end of the school year. Aside from the Court's notorious Leftist agenda which is generally anti-religious (only Judaism, I might add), I believe this was meant to cause problems with Netanyahu's coalition partner, Shas. Let me make something clear, I am secular. I believe that Haredi practices are a dead-end & a distortion of Judaism. I also believe that Haredim must be integrated better into Israeli society. I absolutely abhor Shas & everything it stands for (self-interest, corruption, etc.). I do not believe in special privilages for anyone. But, we live in the real world. The Haredim make up somewhere between 10-15% of the population (I think). There was no reason to provoke a crisis, this could have been handled in a more discreet manner. There was certainly no reason to jail anyone. Which leads me back to what I said at the beginning - there is some rotten motive behind this. And, Mr Lapid, your inflammatory language is disgusting. You certainly don't talk like that when speaking of your leftist friends, when defending the supposed ''rights'' of REAL enemies of this country.
14. Please help
Rob ,   Orangevale USA   (06.17.10)
I am an American without understanding. Of all the truly important issues facing and threatening Israel and it's very existence, and to those of us in the world that truly love and hope for your country, is this the face you choose to expose. I am seeing something so dangerous happening, from across the ocean, that maybe you cant or wont see. "If you cant understand yourself, how can we understand you. Nothing is more important than understanding. A religious riot over race? What the hell? Religious Israeli against non-religious Israeli ? Religious Israeli against religious Israeli ? What next ?
15. A new wave of epidemic disease "Lapiditis
tanya ,   tel aviv israel   (06.17.10)
Vulgaris" is on the way! People of Israel, be aware!
16. In USA parents have the natural rights to send....
JMK ,   NYC   (06.17.10)
their children to private parochial schools as is their natural right, private schools are privately funded so have the natural right to do as they please. This white flight is perfectly american and perfectly legal, even Obama sends his own children to private school and opts out of the public school. Calling Obama a racist, LOL
17. rule of law replaced
moron ,   galut   (06.17.10)
by rule of [power drunk] judges-the order to send parents to prison is stupid even if obeyed--some issues are not for the courts but for knesset
18. Haradi freedom
Yoram Getzler ,   Moshav Aminadav, Isr   (06.17.10)
Shalom Yair, I hope you enter politics and contribute to our state by promoting ideas as you have in this op-ed, (and the last one)! I believe that the Haradi community should be free to teach who ever they want, however they want, whatever they want. But with their own funds, not with state funds! In other words, this freedom comes with responsibility. A traditional Jewish concept!
19. Factually incorrect
Scheshel L. ,   Jerusalem/Los Angele   (06.17.10)
Mr. Lapid, Your article actually fans the flames of hatred between the religious and secular in Israel! You see, you wrote your piece based on personal sentiment & not based on facts! 1. There are Sephardic girls in the Slonim school. 2. These parents were willing to PRIVATIZE the school! That means they wouldn't be taking any government funding! 3. Why could they not send their kids to another school in another town? The only real contempt is that of the court to the chareidim! You seem to not be willing to understand any one else's opinion or point of view as this is not an issue of race at all but an issue of religious levels. Now, if this was about Democracy why is it that the Chareidim as a whole (Ashkenazim & Sephardim) feel that they're being descriminated against? Why did you mention core curriculum if not to fan the flames. Have you researched the subject at all? Do you know that a much larger percent of chareidim ace their exams! Can it be that one of the biggest reasons for the hatred of the secular and religious is the press? Journalists that like writing stories that fan the flames just so they can fill their quota's? As a "Chutznik" who watches all of this sort of on the outside it baffles me. Are so many people just hating without looking for the FACTS? Not researching things at all! Take a deep look inside and ask yourself "What was my main goal I wanted to accomplish with this article?" How can any one honestly dream of peace in the Middle East when we can't get along with ourselves!?!?! As a religious Jew I have personally felt the discrimination of the non-religious to the religious! Ranging from nasty remarks out of the blue (and curses when I pointed out that what they did was RACIST) to actual torment for no reason at all! No I don't go to protests and throw stones or much else like that but neither do most Chareidim! I personally was at protest where Ultra Chareidi Jews from Meah Shearim were asking some young teenagers not to get violent , but most secular Israelis wouldn't even believe that! Oh, those youth were actually just a bunch of wild rebellious kids not the whole Chareidi population! (every society has them) So please think what you aim to achieve when you write a piece and try not to hide behind false righteous indignation! Maybe just title your article spreading the hate or something like that! Sincerely, H.L.
20. Capitulating to Arab violence would mean a state
Avi Steinson ,   Tel Aviv   (06.17.10)
21. JMK, NYC: Wrong!
Robert Haymond ,   Israel/Canada   (06.17.10)
You only publish a fraction of the facts. In the USA, people may send their children to private school but must, absolutely must, live up to minimum standards of education. Each of the fifty states decides what those standards are. Furthermore, no school may disseminate hate nor discriminate on the basis of race. In short, each school has freedom only within the boundaries of the American constitution. Being without a constitution, schools must submit to the dictates of the rules as promulgated by Government and the Supreme Court. Within these bounds, schools have freedom ... limited freedom, as it should be. Education of children is both a matter of the state and the family. The problem with the Charedim is a failure to properly recognize the state. The problem for the rest of us is that Charedim fail to contribute to the state but do receive its benefits.
22. no burning garbage today
ed   (06.17.10)
so why does y-net put up a fake picture? The real story is not written here. Try Arutz 7.
23. Yair
michael Pielet ,   boca raton, Israel   (06.17.10)
Who determines what is taught in the Heloni schools? Of course the helonim. The heloni schools receive state support. The religious schools and charedi schools are also entitled to state aid. the arab schools are not entitled to state aid because they teach their students to support the destruction of the state.
24. #21 Not really true, minimal standards.
JMK ,   NYC   (06.17.10)
All religious institutions are privately funded and can do what they want within minimal standards, the hassidish yeshivas teach basically their program and allow to enter who they want and basically teach what they want. America is about freedom but these private institution are on their own financially. There is a constitution that provides for the free exercise of religion.
25. Ashkenazi racism knows no God
Besalel ,   Great Neck, NY   (06.17.10)
If you recall, Tommy Lapid declared that his party Shinui would sit with Agudas Yisroel in the governmetn but NOT with Shas. Unfotunately, racism against Sefaradi Jews in Israel is practiced by secular Ashkenazi elitists like Lapid and Haredi Slonim Chassidm alike. Next time, all Sefaradim regrdless of their political, philosophical, religious or educational background will vote Shas. Only Shas can counter Ashkenazi racism.
26. You got it all WRONG
Proud Charaidy ,   Bnai Brak Israel   (06.17.10)
Because, As a Charaidiy family member, I will prove it with the following, it has come to a point that many Charaidim are being forced into difficult situations (by the state of Israel) so frequently that it has become a way of natural life, i.e. many Charaidim have occupied the prisons ( for no legit reason) on a steady basis until its not considered hash punishment any more. All the Charaidim hear all the time is, threats from the State of Israel, it gets to a point that one gets immune to it . (like the story of crying Wolf) Same with the Emmanual girl school parents, they know that the ONLY reason they are forced into Jail is because they are religious, so they are not concerned to fight it, expect that this is from g-d, in order to get rewarded by g-d in the world to come. After all we don't live our lives for this materialistic world, but for Olam Habah (the world to come) in heaven, together with g-d. The support the parents received from over 110,000.00 people proves that we are united as one big happy family, and nothing is going to change it. . .
27. But when Arabs behave like this Lapid thinks it's okay
Daniel ,   Formerly Israel   (06.18.10)
Mr. Lapid makes a reasonable, even compelling argument in this case and stands firmly on the side of liberty and democracy, but somehow when Israeli Arabs refuse to recognize the authority of the Israeli government, and do so in a much more violent and threatening manner, Mr Lapid suddenly starts falling over himself to justify them. I would call this racism if Jews and Arabs were actually of different races, but this is just a case of idealist hypocrisy
28. Seems the Jerusalem Post has reporters with more integrity.
Roman ,   Lod, Israel   (06.18.10)
http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=178759 Lapid should read it, he find some facts by mistake. Or is it still about anti-Sephardi racism when Sephardi Jews go to prison for refusing to send their children to study with some other Sephardi Jews?
29. Disgusting!
TSB ,   Clifton, NJ USA   (06.18.10)
What a dishonest article. The issue is NOT the State funded school. The issue is whether the parents have the freedom to educate their children as they wish. The Supreme Court ordered the parents INDIVIDUALLY to send their daughters TO THIS SCHOOL. If they did anything else -- including home schooling, a private school or busing them to Bnek Brak -- they were held in contempt and jailed. Sorry, that is a Bolshevik interference with the rights of parents. That is a redline which no religious person can possibly tolerate. Don't fund their school, but leave the parents alone.
30. What do you want from Lapid?
Nora Tel Aviv   (06.18.10)
He will need votes. Will you vote for him? Maybe, if you are a secular hating the religious. Remember his father and his short lived Shinuy Party ? Like father like son. His hate machine will accelerate until he gets those bloody votes to become the head of another short lived Leftist party.
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