Some might say you went to far Mr Deri when you stole public funds and commited acts of fraud. Mr Lapid seems to manage quite well without the advise from an ex con thank you very much. Any other tips he picked up from prison he would like to share with us all?

from the guy who went caught STEALING from the government tried to turn it into a sephardi ashkenasi spat.

"Annoying screeching sound of the violin?" I'm sorry he doesn't find violin music beautiful -- certainly at the level of the symphony musician -- perhaps someone can get him a recording made by Itzhak Perlman. But who listens to the musings of an ex-con? Moreover, he didn't serve out his term in prison; he was paroled for "good behavior." Making public threats can land him back in prison. If he goes back -- and he should -- I'll get him some Moroccan "music" CDs. Talk about screeching ....

are a thief representing a council of thieves.

You collaborated with Peres when he villified the national religious, sent police to attack them, stole their property and armed PLO terrorists. You are in no small part responsible for Oslo, the expulsion, Amona and thousands of dead Jews. Instead of an Op-Ed letter in YNet, visit the people who thanks to you became orphans, widows and handicapped, and admit you were wrong. Until then, nothing you have to say is interesting.

Oh please man! Stop the whining already!!! You were at the core of a entire nation decision making and you had your dark times. You lost big time and now it's the time to introspection. I understand humility is not part of your vocabulary... You created so much injustice in this society and now - finally- another current of light and hope is taking over for the good of every living soul in this small country. Give up man! come back from your Mars trip. and hopefully work for a more just and egalitarian society//

It is not enough to " prevent the harsh economic measures that threaten to take away the bread". The function of an opposition is to propose alternatives to the proposed legislation. Does Shas really want to reduce the deficit? What is their proposal? Playing the role of a "victim" is not helpful.

Words said, at any time, including during Election campaigns, have been said and cannot just be buried with the hatchet. More so when said by someone who claims to follow our holy Torah. I am dati, and I am far more appalled by what Deri and his group say. In terms of pure politics, Shas is not in the government because they would NOT work with other elected groups, and continue to fight the majority of those voted into our knesset. They are the opposition. Deal with it. In the mean time all our politicians should learn to behave with at least a modicum of dignity.

You said exactly what I was thinking. I am sick of hearing what they will not do - when do we get to hear what they can do to help. If the Haredim show so flexibility to change they may find some flexibility from the secular public. It is impossible to remain so absolute in a system that clearly isn't working!

they do not change the fact that since many of the Haredim do not educate their children in secular subjects, do not serve in the IDF and choose to accept welfare from the State rather than work as a lifestyle choice, over time Israel will grow economically and militarily weaker due to their high birth rates. The Haredim live under the economic and military umbrella of a society which in the future will have difficulty of providing this privilege. It is often said that "demographics is destiny." The societal model of Israel, given current trends, is not sustainable long term. Many things must change. The question is how and at what rate.

Lapid is a one trick pony and his one trick is rabble rousing against Haredim and sewing division among Israelis. Pathetic!

1. It is true there is a vilification of the Charedi public in the political sphere and in journalism, but no criticism is ever unjustified. Gafni, Deri, Yeshai, and the likes of them have got to stop whining , clean house( in a huge way) get fresh people with fresh leadership and new ideas. If not they should be prepared to say to secular Israel " do as you wish, we will do fine without you. You can shove your funds and you leave us to fend for ourselves!" 2. I say, if secular Israel is "so concerned" about the charedi element sharing the burden of society, let them be clever enough to find ways which are not coercive( as they themselves feel they were coerced and must empithize) and stop the immature typical Israeli approach of " you said..you did... So now I am getting even ... So there... Ha ha ha".

lapid is an idiot, a rookie without a clue except for the fact that everyone knows shas has been stealing for years. They would sell their souls to the arabs if the money was right. Fact - Lapid is a dope and shas are theives. get past it. You are now angry because you are not in a position to steal more money. Maybe next time. Live with it and stop this baby crab "you're bad, no you're bad, no you did it....."

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and his cronies call secular Jews heathens! MK Nissem Ze'ev called Gays perverts and called for them to be sent to "camps" to be cured! The Ultra-Orthodox believe in RELIGIOUS COERCION, spit on little girts, make womwn sit at the back of the bus, give and only take and then take what is not theirs and go to jail for it - Deri, Levi, Ben Izri and Co! The Chairman of Shas recklessly caused the deaths of 42 Israelis in the Carmel Forest Disaster! Even worse, the Haredim have spit the Jewish people and stolen religion form one time traditional Jews! Rabbi Deri should bury his head in shame and never bring it out!

Just look at Lapids record so far Haredi draft obsession Getting into spats publically with Shas MKs being very sly about it. Telling Women of the Wall he supports their campaign and will do everything ha can for them. His number 2 calling haredi parasites. Other than his anti haredi antics what has Lapid actually done during his time as finance minister? When he wants to pick a fight with the haredi over something he makes sure its very public but when its not about the haredi he just uses Facebook as his main source of communication. Fact is Lapid campaigned on a hate the haredi platform and he knows the seculular public love nothing more than seeing the haredi being torn apart and nobody else is doing it. Lapid was on a high after the election because of his populist policies and he doesn't want the nitty gritty of politicos to damage his image because he has made it very clear he wants to be the next PM so keep telling the voters what they want to hear and try side step anything thats to controversial. You don't have to be a genius or love the haredi to see Lapid is playing for an anti haredi audience

Union has to come both ways. Let's start with simple things: agree with the current government generous proposal concerning military duty with some small changes. Do the same about the minimum curiculum to be taught in schools (also with small changes 50% instead of 55 of the program). If you show some good will, be sure that the government will respond positively. What people can't stand is that haredim only seems to be able to say no.

the will of his voters who follow their Rabbi s advice .

same politic and hopes better results.

It is good to here a representative of a party whose aspiritual leader called people who where a crochet kippa goyim and who denigates the majority of the Jewish people - who belong to the reform or conservative streams realizing that you cannot insult other jews - it is a step in the right direction. At the same time, anybody who does not have a suggestion to make as to how to dig our way out of the hole we are in has no right to criticize someone who is trying to solve the problem. And the truth is those of us who pay the tax do not mind paying it if it is not wasted in subsidizing people who think that they havew a g-d given right to freeload. So sorry Mr. Deri if you think I have to finance your children I don't - I apologize that instead of financing people to "study" obscure fascets of religion I will be paying for students acquiring the skills the country needs, I apologize for insisting that your children should have classrooms with over 30 children in them just like my children had - and I apologize for your children having to risk their lives in the army just like my children. As you know very well - municipalities spend most of their money on children and they get their money from rates - so I will accept that even though the municipality spends more on your children than on mine because you have four times as many, and obviously you will notpay more than I am because you perceive the need for me to subsiidze you - at least you will now have to pay rates rather than extorting an exemption

I agree, don't vilify. But, how do you unite with a section of the population, which for the most part, wants to do nothing but receive everything? In any other free-nation, they would be told to work and do what all else must do. Moreover, how do you unite with this section that desires something akin to a theocracy, not a free-nation? They are like baby birds that have to be shown how to properly leave the nest and become adult birds like the rest of us.

"So, they at least try to demonstrate some sort of unity." Typical Haridi reaction - hide it, make believe, don't let anyone know the truth...

You said of Deri "You are in no small part responsible for Oslo". What do you mean "in no small way"? He IS responsible more than anyone else for that catastrophe.

To short-sighted.

While that Lapid is being overly harsh.You said that maybe the idf presence should be reduced in Yesha.You mentioned also that you had extended the hand of frienship to Bayit Yehudi but they supported the Haredi draft etc etc In other being childish and vindictive..As we know being vindictive is an issur min HaTorah It is high we all started caring about each other ,respecting each other (which does NOT mean agreeing with each other) and learning to build bridges that we all can walk.The Gemara tells us that there is no vessel that holds Hashems blessing but peace

This begins to sound like a words of a real leader of the opposition. If SHAS and other orthodox unite they will be a biggest fraction in the opposition. Yet Deri should be more sharp and more agressive.

To extend the esteemed authors metaphor: violins and other instruments need to be in tune and play as a unit while listening to the others playing. The Haredi Community has been so out of tune with the rest of the Israeli orchestra it is time they were sent to be re-strung. They keep arguing their own importance yet most of secular Israel sees schnors. Prove your worth and contribute. Then come play your scherzo again

If the state of Israel really is like an orchestra then the Hareidim should only get paid once they start playing their instruments!

All they did untill now,is demolish. All that Lapid did untill now is trying to demolish the little Judaism left .

may be a better option to macular degeneration.