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Iran forbids public displays of affection
Dudi Cohen
Published: 22.10.07, 10:20
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52 Talkbacks for this article
1. Great place to live...so much to offer us all LOL!!!!
Scott   (10.22.07)
These guys dont like George Bush...he's a TYRANT!!! ROTFLMAO!!!!!!
2. Situation not much better for Arab women in Israel
Tahl ,   Israel   (10.22.07)
In most of the Arab villages in Israel, you'd find that many women are locked up inside their houses, being forbidden to see men before their wedding. Though some Arabs practice a more modern lifestyle, the majority still treats their women like a man's property, and the many incidents we've heard about "honor killings" provide a good proof of that. Oddly enough though (or perhpas not that oddly...) - you'd find many Arab men hitting on Jewish girls, they have no problem whatsoever defiling women as long as they're not theirs...
3. Iran modesty
angelina ,   holon   (10.22.07)
Iran is continualy walking backwards in every sector. Pity the women who have to live there. Modesty is a choice,should not be a punishment
4. I've heard it said that people have the
Joe ,   Ohio, USA   (10.22.07)
form of goverment they want. They fought for their Islamic Republic and now they have it. I hope they enjoy it!!
5. Mentally Deranged.
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (10.22.07)
But there is method behind the madness. Totalitarian ideologies want to channel the frustrations they create into revolutionary zeal. Rigid separation of the sexes achieves this aim. The very fact that they can interfere in every aspect of a person's life reinforces their authority. They hate individuality, free thought, free speech, free anything. They want total control (which is why they are called "totalitarian"). Mindless, brainwashed obedience. So they have dress-codes, hair-style codes, music-codes, they want everyone marching around in uniform like robots. Intruding into people's private lives, especially their sexual lives, under the guise of some lunatic morality, gives them a chance to use the anger that this creates to motivate the hate that this ideology depends on. They love mass rallies (like the Nazis) - everyone shouting in unison - "Death to America" "Death to Israel" - even the effect of mass prayer is an element of this. They don't want individuals, they want a mindless obediant mass, just part of a collective lobotomized mob. Sick. Very, very, sick. And dangerous.
6. It's worse here
David ,   Yerushalayim   (10.22.07)
Here, a woman can't sit next to a man on a public bus without getting beaten up.
7. SO.. HOW DIFFERENT IS THAT FROM THE HAREDI BEHAVIOUR?
(10.22.07)
8. I agree with you, Terry (#5)
Solly ,   los angeles   (10.22.07)
9. No. 6 David
(10.22.07)
But that's only one side of the coin in Israel. The other side is much more liberal in regard to sexuality than a lot of places in America, for instance. In fact, according to one Israeli I knew, people in Israel do things on the beach that most Americans wouldn't do in their bedrooms. Iranian society, on the other hand, is repressed...with virtually no exceptions.
10. #6 Sadly True
Aharon   (10.22.07)
And I'm afraid that is a sign of things to come. Jerusalem is becoming the Jewish Iran, and the cancer will spread. In 5 years, 30% of Israeli children will be attending Haredi schools. This is the result of our endless funding for their Yeshivot and welfare and child support. I pray that there will be a party with some moral integrity that will end this disgusting phenomena
11. Do they really need women?? I doubt !!!
KMR ,   Middle East   (10.22.07)
This is the clever religious weapon to suppress/demoralize half the population without risking backlash !!! When will rest of the word boycott such Inhumane regimes ??
12. Enlightenment
Sagi ,   Israel   (10.22.07)
Kissing in public forbidden. Flogging in public permitted, even desirable.
13. #7 - Haredi Behavior.
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (10.22.07)
Haredim are definitely a bizarre sect - no doubt about it. The fact that they enforce a degree of sex segregation, dress alike, are self-isolating, avoid TV & internet, etc. is a similar phenomenon. But, Haredim do not blow themselves up in martyrdom operations. They do not form armed militias. Haredi rabbis do not preach violence. They do not murder their daughters in honour killings. They do not decapitate violators. They do not persecute gays & have them executed. Haredim do not preach open jihad to convert the world. I know you can find a few examples of Haredi misbehavior but they are actually very rare. Much as I find Haredi practices sect-like & actually feel many of their beliefs are positively un-Jewish, it is unfair to compare them to a totalitarian ideology like Islam. And to the talkbacker who said it is worse here in Israel, well, a little moderation & judgement would do you good. That's quite an unfounded exageration. All sects, religions, political parties share some characteristics but the real analysis is to what degree, to what extreme, & to what end. If you look to characterize everything as the same phenomenon, you no longer have an analytical tool, you fall into a belief in moral relativism which essentially removes judgement. It's like comparing apples, oranges, & bananas & saying, well, they're all fruits.
14. Mohammad's comments on women
Larry L.   (10.22.07)
Mohammad preached and it is recorded in the hadith, that women are walking, talking vaginas - that is why they must be covered from head to toe. Too bad the PC MSM doesn't write any articles on this aspect of the "religion of peace".
15. # 13 Terry
Sagi ,   Israel   (10.22.07)
Your post in answer to # 7 is a very intelligent analysis and description and is indeed true in all respects except one. "They do not form armed militias". I have no doubt that you will agree with me that stones and clubs are weapons just as guns and knives are. I also have no doubt that you will agree with me that vigilante groups are equatable to armed militias, at least they use the same tacticts to achieve their goals. I therefor disagree with you and I am of the opinion that the Haredim do indeed form armed militias and are dangerous to the fabric of society, if for no other reason than that the authorities appear to be powerless to stop their violent demands and behaviour. Egged in this respect are guilty of aiding them in their quest to achieve their aims. They constantly break the law when it comes to autopsies ordered by a court. They disrupt public works by violent protest using physical means if deemed necessary to uphold the "law of God". in my opinion this is "armed militias".
16. Today's Oxymoron - Iranian Morality
Bill Foonman ,   Jacksonville, USA   (10.22.07)
An estimated 70% of Iran's population is under 30 years of age. You can only imagine the level of oppression in that Mullah-run country if their citizens have to tolerate bizarre edicts like this from these mentally defective, warped old men.
17. WHEN????
ALAN ,   USA   (10.22.07)
WHEN ARE THE CITIZENS OF IRAN GOING TO STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES AND SAY, "NO MORE!?"
18. 4 # Islamic Republic
gabriela ben ari ,   jerusalem   (10.22.07)
Agree with you One gets what one votes for Just don't forget, women in Islam are not even allowed to vote. Were they given any freedom of speech, action or even thought, they might as well found a new religion! As much as I despice Islam, and also thank G-d every day for having made me a Jew. I do pray for all oppresed women in the world for their speedy redemption
19. ah but can 2 guys still kiss
Simon ,   TA Israel   (10.22.07)
Apparently according to the Iraninan president there are no gay people in Iran, so therefore if i kissed my boy friend in the street in Tehran then thats ok ? because officially we dont exist, thanks just wanted to clear that issue up
20. THANK G-D, WE HAVE GAY PARADES IN JERUSALEM!
BILL HANDEL ,   BROOKLYN, USA   (10.22.07)
We are much better than those backward Iranians!
21. kissing
VoiceOfReason ,   Here&Now   (10.22.07)
It is about time. This should have been enforced along time ago. All those Irians kissing and holding hands. It is disgusting wanton behavior and should stop NOW. Sometimes you even see them kiss females, how gross. I would make them sit on the back of the bus, that will show them.
22. #7 No-Name - Different from Haredi behavior
Judy   (10.22.07)
There are many differences, the main hone is that the Haredi don't threaten the life of those who break their rules. They do not do physical violence to their women, I'm sure no more than the secular average. That No-Name is the main difference. You don't hear of stonings or other cruelties.
23. Modesty is certainly a good thing
abdullah ,   ashkenaz   (10.22.07)
But it is hard IMHO for a state to enforce it. For a society to be modest, it must start from the bottom up - from the family, from one's parents. Traditional jews are modest because our righteous ancestors going all the way back to Avraham and Sarah were modest. Modesty is an (elevated) ‘internal’ state that shows on the outside as ‘modesty’ and thus difficult to enforce. That said I do hope the Islamic Republic succeeds to improve modesty and their efforts are well received.
24. Question for Israelis
Judy ,   Los Angeles   (10.22.07)
Have Arab customs in Israel become more repressive during the past few years? It has happened in the PA.
25. #15 Sagy, your comments are puzzling
Judy Y ,   Los Angeles   (10.22.07)
When you discuss violence it is nothing less than obscene to compare the Haredi to the Arabs. It's like comparing a child's tantrum to a culture based on violence within the family, among clans, against national enemies. I'm familiar with your posts. This time you had to twist arguments in such a manner as to find some way to throw your poison around, one more time. And when that poison results in violence agains the Haredi, by Neo-Nazis or some other group, I want you to know that words like the ones you contribute, one drop at the time, form the flood of poison that ails your society. There's such thing as objective observation and there's simple hate speech. And your TB reeks of hate speech.
26. <~~Looking for a Summer house in Iran
Moshe ,   USA   (10.22.07)
Great place for summers with the family :)
27. WHAT A STUPID SUBJECT ! LOOK LIKE YOU SOLVED ALL PROBLEMS ?
(10.22.07)
sorry Ynet ! but that is too stupid. I know you are very angry at me. haaretz is same. why I cant stay somewhere little long ? never mind. I was a nice guy. your people made me a hater. I personally love you Ynet ! but dont tell anyone :) Atilla Karagözoğlu
28. #15 Sagi - I beg to differ ...
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (10.22.07)
No matter how annoying, how meshegga, & sometimes disorderly, Haredim are not walking the streets with RPG's & Kalichnikovs shooting at rival sects. To my knowledge, Haredim have not assassinated a rival rabbi nor do they routinely have gunfights in the streets. It is exaggerated to call their demonstrations "armed militias". That they may be dangerous to the fabric of society is a totally different problem only from the demographic point of view - how a modern country will function if 30-40% of the population is Haredi is beyond me. The most dangerous aspect of their self-isolation is the lack of secular education in their schools. But bizarre as they may be, Haredim can more appropriately be described as religious eccentrics. The ideology that motivates the Iranian regime is very different. I forgot one important point - the haredim are not trying to develop nuclear weapons to commit genocide.
29. What a laugh!
Ephraim ,   diaspora   (10.22.07)
It's just fine if you assist someone in strapping on their explosive homicide belts, just don't kiss them goodby,
30. new martial law:Don't kiss your kids
hanina   (10.22.07)
enforced by your local teenage community.
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