trying to make himself relevent. go for it Yair. make yourself look foolish.

...Before more damage is done...

Why can one not study Torah AND work for his own living instead of stealing money from hard-working people? If it was good enough for the Rambam, I should hope its good enough for the Haredim!

Labor will get 7 or 8 seats??? Do you even live in this country?

kadima, labor already exist. they would simply divide up the anti-semitic vote.

Has Yair Lapid ever been to yeshiva? If he himself could answer that would be great. If you haven't been to yeshiva, please, learn about Judaism from the religious perspective and from the rabbis. Then please write your thoughts. As a person who once thought shinui could be good, I now believe that they may not be so good. I am not saying all of the religious are righteous people, but if you have never learned about the values (all of them) from traditional Judaism, how can one fairly judge it. This goes for any topic. If you have learned all I have said then I am sorry for wasting anyone's time for reading this. To also state an opinion of mine, I believe all schooling should have the funding shas has gotten, religious and secular. Schooling should be completely covered by the state.

Both parties specialize in catering to a distinct population. Shinui redirected funds to "cultural" projects they wanted funded, and saw that their politicians got as much of the cake as they could grab. Both were run undemocratically as the domain of a clique of decision makers. The only real difference is that Shas speaks about the love of Torah, while Shinui used cheap hate-mongering to attract voters.

Make sure that the new name of the new Shinui Party becomes known to all throughout world Jewry, at least by articles in Ynet, so that support can be given. The new name should be made to become a household word in the homes of Jewish Americans and others, in order that we may help in whatever ways possible. This time the party should entrench itself permanently in the Knesset and expand it's platform and principles, for the sake of Jews, as well as the provision of real choice.

Maybe then he would understand what interolerance and fear from religious nutshells really means.

The religious dimension accompanying its secular identity is only one aspect, it shouldn't become too important. Nobody hates the haredim, but they have to know their place. They cannot prescribe to others what to do. Israel is still a democracy, something not foreseen in the Torah. The Torah is important for the Jews, religious or secular, but it shouldn't rule this state. We are not in Iran. No, thank you!

Lapid is from the same social circle as Olmert, with the same arrogance and corruption. This article simply incites hatred against Shas to turn peoples attention from Olmert. Lapid mentions how much money Shas "stole" from the government but he does not mention how much money other sectors get. Of course, when his friends steal money, Lapid thinks it is money well spent. For Lapid democracy is not that people elect representatives to care for them, but rather that Lapid and Olmert dictate how money is spent.

The secular governments have been beating down the charedim for years, siphening away education funds and social support, becauce G-d forbid they actually grow and be successful, oh no, they might take over. BUT, that said, Lapid is right here. Olmert's weakness means Shas is emboldened to push back and get all the budget they need. While technically this is fair, after being starved out for years, it's not modest and it looks like blackmail. MUCH of the charedi public AGREES and feels Shas is not acting properly, and has demanded they leave the government.

We shuold to what Ataturk did and wipe out all independence from the religious. Fire their rabbis and replace them with state trained ones who are trained to respect the secular laws of the country. Inprison and kill their political leaders. Cow them, and browbeat them into modernity and into the formal economy. Make it a social stigma to be seen in a black coat. Make their youth want to abandon their medieval ways by shaming them and stigmatizing them. Crush their spirit and end their sense of being a people. Do to them what was done to my grandparents when they came from Iraq. Stick them in camps in the desert until the state is satisfied they are Israeli enough. And then after the dust has settled we might be able to enjoy a normal democracy.

Not only do you have my vote, but I'll work to help you get others. This country is going downhill fast! we need you! Fast!!

Hey #44, if you want a normal democracy, how about trying out Russia! Because what you describe is exactly what they did to the Jews there. Oh, and by the way, that little religious boy you stuck in the corner and assumed would fade away is now 30% of your population, and will be over 50% within the next generation. Will YOU honor your democracy when THEY vote YOU out? Or is democracy only for your Western Secularism? You're right about Turkey, the secular have had to crush their religious 3 times already, because they have this annoying habit of VOTING. That's NOT democracy, that's FACISM.

That is pretty much for sure, they were several hundred votes short of an extra seat last time. This time they will get that and one more for sure. There will be a right/religious majority. Because that represents the true Jewish majority of the state. I will be back to vote for them. Shiuni/Meretz same rubbish.

Lappy, you speak solely for yourself.

To my recollection, Mr. Lapid has been unaware of a significant support base within the orthodox community! Unfortunately, he has shown bigotry towards all orthodox. He should be aware that there are significant numbers of us who agree with him! We want a CLEAR separation of 'church' and state.

Shinui sure has a lot of spare cash. Anyone know who funds them?

It just shows how stupid people are in Israel unable to differentiate between ultra-orthodox who were not against leaving Gaza because they believe G-d will bring Moshiach not Israel. They are the ones who dont go to the army. BTW the same number (not percentage still a big deal though) or secular Israels don't go the army either and most go to non-fighting units also. The orthodox has largest percentage of young officers in the IDF and they fight for the right for Jews to live anywhere. Maybe the Jews who hate judaism should leave Israel and try their luck in one of the other countries in the region. I left Israel because of the stupidity coming from the left wing and secular believing that there can be piece with the Palestinians and an Israel without religion.

This article was nothing comedy.. "orthodox pocket" What exactly did shinui acomplish ? just like the pensioners party, they talk and did nothing.. they claimed to represent "seculars" and how did they do that ? That shinui provide soup kitchen's ? schools ? after school activity ? ANYTHING ?!?! Where did shinui funnel the money ?!?! Now, I personaly cant stand shas, but most people on this site will admit that shas runs many institutions.. they provide help to religiouds AND secular.. Lapid, your dad has a prett foul mouth too... his attacks against hareidim were alpot more crude than shas's attacks against gays. Whats wrong with 5 children you shnook? how do you expect us to survive on 4 or less kids.. What did shinui do to address the qassam threat ?or any threat ? Glad you dont like orthodox jews.. that makes you a racist..

I am a modern orthodox person & i very much agree with Yair ..it seems that the only thing that intrests the religious parties is money,& they don't give anything back,it's disgusting & the time has come to stop ,,why should they work ,or join the army,theyre being compensated,,no wonder the chilonim dislike them & is it a wonder there is a saying"they'll sell their mother for a dollar" i'm begining to believe it

someone younger that 60, someone who is secular but respectful of tradition, someone who sees a state proud of its jewishness, its Army but open for all its citizens, an orator who talks calmly...maybe a David Grossman?

Yes, I'm Israeli and I live in Holon. So how many seats would you expect Labor to get? I thought that my saying 7-8 was perhaps on the high side. The party is an absolute shambles now so it's hard to imagine who might vote for it accept a few people that desert the sinking Meretz ship. Mike

not only orthodox but all of parties are liying to voters, deceiving them and playing with people`s naivety, desperation and tiredness from hardships of life. All paties are the same: faiceless, hypocritical and cinical toward people. All the parties are using people for personal profits. Last time there 60% next time will come 50 or less stupid, who trust them.Change this ancient electorial system! Or peole will run from Israel.