The article made sense until the end. Why is knowledge of Darwin necessary to grow the economy? For people going into Life Sciences, I can see the value, but Darwin can be taught at the university level (where it would be better understood, anyway) to students for whom it will be relevant professionally. There is no reason to require it be taught to all students.

...based on selective quotes I suspect, as well as a whole range of assertions (e.g. a projection being described as "fact" - that's logically ridiculous). Yes, there is a growing number of Haredim; but with the mass influx from the former Soviet Union, hasn't the character of the State of Israel changed the other way? Witness the increased number of shops selling pork for example. As for Israel being a first world state - who are you trying to kid? It's not third world: more second world - particularly given the lack of competition, economic concentration and poor (secular) educational standards. Take a look at the academic achievement indices focusing on high schools - Israel is either bottom or second from bottom.

Some questions to "Israeli Free People " : Do You Think "Israel" should force a 'Loyalty Oath' on Non-Jews ?!! Do you agree with the definition of "Israel" as a Jewish State?!! Do you accept the People "any people " as they are?!! What is free people and Secular mean for you?! bikinis & nightclubs , no more ! Are you secular? Hell no!

Thats the only solution, and israel right now is NOT a real Democracy...

That is the reason, why You will disappear, (or gone the ranks) not because of Haredi birth rate. Jews are not an AM Chof'she.(free people). Our existence is because we believe in a Creator and live by the Torah. The Land of Israel wasn't promised to" the free people" with its bang, to live like the Gentiles. That lifestyles you can do it there. It was and is only a matter of time. It is sad, with a Tradition so Rich, there is no pride. That is all the secular do, is write articles to bash the Jews. Been there-Done That. God's people will prevail, as it has done for thousands of years. I guess it is to difficult to catch on, WE ARE HERE TO STAY, regardless what you shell out.

whose parents did not serve in the I.D.F. Have a defense tax on all members of these families, adults andchildren also. Do not let those who did not serve in the I.D.F.only, not that national service vote, sit in the knesset, work in politics or the government. Keep them out of universities, no drivers licenses and last in line for employment. No more giving money to non Zionist institutions.

ONE ARTICLE WORRIES ABOUT THE LACK OF DEMOGRAPHIC PROLIFERATION THE OTHER ABOUT THE RESERRECTION OF HAREDI JEWRY. AFTER THE SHOAH. YOU NEED ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND TOUGH MEN AND ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND CLEVER WOMEN TO PROTECT THE JEWISH STATE .

otherwise known as the zionist experiment, disappears. The kibbutzim subsidised by the state. Their social engineering projects quietly closed down. Their socialist utopia replaced by a corrupt third-world style capitalist police state with the military having carved out an independent state-within-a-state. Salma is dead right: the only thing that Israel can boast of today is that it is still OK to fress pork and wear a bikini. That's called freedom - for the educated, well-healed elite.

I really feel that for too long the mainstream has distanced itself from the Charadi world as much as they have from the mainstream. You can't cry about two states of Jews when in fact Israeli democracy has done as much to keep these guys out as they have to separate themselves. Stop funding their Torah studies (those that want to study can do so like other religious Jews but need to be responsible to the community)and demand that they become mainstreamed into the work force, via higher learning education like everyone else. Provide incentives to do so with funding for university scholarships, trades and other skills employment training for both their men and women. Demand that they serve the country either with military service of some type of Sherut Leumi service.Israeli political parties have created this problem by trading their votes to form a coalition in exchange for a free ride on integrating into society and being more economically responsible. Enough is enough. It's not them, its all of us for have failed to hold people accountable to participating in the society.

I'm sorry, but that's utter tosh!

need to move to LA; I hear there is a vibrant Israeli community there......

If correct, they will be a carbon copy of islamic extremists sects. Having a foreign passport, I plan to leave at the appropriate time. Who would want to be mixed up with this medieval crowd. The hasidim of the 'stone age'

too many jews...maybe seculars need remedial math--we are still minus six million--their cure-hatred of capitalism means more poverty--hatred of israel's friends for not being leftists is sickening

the poorer a state it will be. On the contrary, the more Israel embraces its Judaism the wealthier a nation it will be. AS to all those seculars or self haters who dont like that, well you can always move abroad and try your luck elsewhere. You wont be missed..I guarantee it.

usually have a life span of approx 15 years. They wither rather quickly especially after Yoram brings home his first of many shiksas. So much for the Israeli style education that he grew up with. Oh don't forget in order to keep his Israeli roots he will ask his shiksa to cook him up a mash of eggs and tomatoes with a pepper sauce.(pass me the barf bag please) She'll respond..'lets do Mexican tonite choney'

But the left is too ignorant AND ARROGANT to know the difference. Many religious would not do the things this manic hysteric author writes. But it is funny to see his reaction- now you know how SOME reigious feel about secualr Jewish state. I vote for something IN THE MIDDLE.

nm

If I didnt read such a ludicrous article I wouldnt believe that somebody would actually put this in print. We have gotten to an all new low. This hate and disdain has to stop. This doesnt sound like jews writing this. If compared to before the 1940's I bet you can find similar articles written about the jews of Europe. What are we doing? Have we lost all semblance of right and wrong? Has our hatred blinded us ? Then when you read some of the talkbacks that perpetuate and continue the bashing. Are we not ashamed to spew such garbage? After reading this I can only say that we need serious help and I dont know what is going to save us.

has started and I shall not be there to turn out the lights at Ben Gurion Airport. I shall be long gone. The Zionist dream of 1880 did materialize for a short time. Bayit Shlishi has been pushing the self destruct button now for some time. I hope that I shall not live long enough to witness the demise of this wonderful project called Israel, demise will happen, have no doubt, and the Haredim shall be the prime movers. If I do live long enough then I shall witness it from afar and with a tear in my eye.

I do not agree to some aspects of this article. But it is true that haredi people are not contributing anything to the country. On countrary they are burden (financially). It is true that they must study mats, science etc. and get job. No funds should be provided by government. They all must and must share their responsibility in IDF. They just can not grow and multiply on our account and on top of that teach us how to live.

It can't be the money. The Secular waste billions upon billions of our money, YES, our money. I am religious and PAY TAXES. and that waste do not not even hit the back of any news report. #9 sheds a little light, "in fact Israeli democracy has done as much to keep these guys out as they have to separate themselves." The Seculars do not want to believe that they merit from these people learning Torah. God Forbid if that was totally removed. It is not the MONEY, that bothers the secular. 1.8 million so called arab citizens. Do they serve in the Army??? It is not the MONEY..............We all know what it is!!!!!!!!!The change will come, in the direction the seculars DO NOT WANT. My suggestion. LEAVE or Join the ranks.

if everybody gets on the dole there will nobody left to fund the project. admit it: the religious NEED the seculars. somebody has to pay for their leisurely lifestyle. but what do you care? you're canadian. seems you took your own advice by living abroad and trying your luck elsewhere.

Yes indeed we need serious help. Let me explain to you in no uncertain words exactly what help we need. My ancestors came to this country in 1892. They shaved off their beards, cut off their sidelocks, discarded the caftans, stopped worshipping imaginary creators in the sky, rolled up their sleeves and got down to the task of building a State. If I were to put it any other way you would at worst call me a vile name or at best say that I am redolent of certain regimes in Europe circa 1933, that is if the editors would allow it to be shown. Sorry but that is how I feel and that is the help we need.

This is a Jewish State - it was created as a safe haven for Jews - it is by nature a Jewish country and should never ever be separated. And if that ever happened, which won't - this country will lose its uniqueness and will become like any other country and will lose the identity that thousands have died to protect.

If you would get to know what the Torah lifestyle really has to say you would calm down. So much of your panick stems for your widespead misconceptions that Ynet has done a wonderful job perpetuating. Don't you realize that all those contries you look up to as being advanced and enlightened are so because Torah values that have permiated their cultures. Here is the first misconception you should jettison: There is nothing in Hereidi lifestyle that says you have to live in poverty! I am ready to expond further to those interested in understanding more about the issue.

if they'd appear on any other web site based elsewhere in the world would immediately be condemned. If this isn't Jew-hatred, what is? You mean only baseless accusations are considered Jew-hatred? But not if you have a 'legitimate' reason to complain? I assure everyone that Jew haters past and present fervently believed they had legitimate reasons for hating Jews. Just like Ynet seems to have.