The Haredim oughti serve in practical ways too in hospitals cyberware and for the capable combat units.But Kadima refused to help the secular security parties this is Lapids highest challange.

you'll need it! I'd like to again start sending money to Israel after diverting it elsewhere while watching Haredim take over the country for the last 10 years. Looks like I'll have no choice but to continue to support Jewish orgs outside of Israel for the rest of my life. No to Israel bonds! No to corrupt Israeli governments!

shas does not control Israel. it is a political party that has skillfully managed to advance its interests. those interests may not conform to what Lapid or I think are in the best national interest but that is the way this democracy works. there are things that could be done to reform the system and there are things that could be done to educate the public but those are difficult and Lapid wants easy...better (for him) to just hurl invective, generate strife, play the part of a demogogue, the very role he condemns when played by others. doesn't seem that Lapid is cut out for poltiics.

What on earth is your agenda,,,,????

Why Israel Finkelstein ? Why take the minimilist view. There is growing and substantial support for the the opposite view. Why not accept Eilat Mazar's suggestions and discoveries.

Anti religious yap was the main stay of the left and Tomy Lapid, Shulamit Balooney, Yose Sarid, etc all try to scare the seculars into voting for them to "stop the religious" from a. taking over, b. restricting freedom, c. forcing women to whatever. Shame on Yair for choosing this manner to start what looked like a new career. Instead he is hate mongering like his dad. Hope he loses heavy like his dad did.

Israel Finkelstein is a centrist (and I'm pretty sure I said that I'm a centrist as well) and is actually very religious (despite the claims of his detractors). He's also a very nice guy when you meet him, but very tall. Minimalists aren't actual archaeologists, by the way. Each and every one of them is a biblical scholar. They don't actually excavate. Eilat Mazar's "findings" have been easily discredited time and time again, though Finkelstein can be a bit vicious in his writing about her. She takes sites that have already been excavated and then comes up with a wild hypothesis that isn't backed up by evidence. The view I take is that I have certain beliefs, but if the evidence contradicts them and is presented properly, I change them to suit the evidence. Finkelstein's hypotheses make the most sense to me. They account for the most evidence while doing the least damage. Of course, there are some things Finkelstein appears to be wrong on. For instance, the copper mines in Jordan seem to lend credence to the idea that Shlomo was more than just a local chieftain. Finkelstein ignored the lead excavator's invitation and said he had already reached his conclusions. The fellow was very offended and I could tell he was upset about it when I spoke to him. I don't remember his name though. I regret to say that I have forgotten who Amnon Ben-Tor is.

and calling him names like haredi-basher, demagogue, naive celebrity, evil son of an evil father and other such verbal abuses won't change the bottom line fact, which I shall repeat for the hard of hearing: HE MAKES A LOT OF SENSE, and I say this as a conservadox Jew who loves Torah. Note especially hisindisputable point that in 12 years, Israel will have a preedominantly Arab and chareidi "graduation" class ushering in the next generation! As for his suggestions re changing the electoral system, we all know there are many others as well. Personally, I think those of Professor Paul Eidelberg make the most sense; he's been studying the problem for decades and it's a pity ynet does not have him as a op-ed contributor.

In the US, despite the downward economy, changes to the welfare system are never even touched---and illegitimacy continues to increase. Similarly in Israel, many "schnorrers" are carried on the backs of the taxpayers because the political system is too weak to change things. Yair is right, and It's time for him to enter the Knesset!

lapid's dad was a secular hungarian jew. back in hungary, the secularist were the majority and tried to destroy religion. when his dad moved to israel, he set out to control the media and became in charge of israel's state run television (the only television then). then he naturally went from there to forming an antireligious party. now his son does the same old tired antireligious dance. its kind of sickening

He is merely anti-Hareidim in the sense that they have no right to commadeer our tax money for their private use.

You have hit the nail on the head I agree with your remarks and wish you all the best

The arab refugees ought to be in settlements in empty areas guarded closely undoubtedly and educated in humanitarian islamand common decency humanitarianism with usa uk french and jewish troops and missiles on the borders to repel the mad mullahs the iranian child sacrifisers with their grossly deluded keys to heaven and the al quedi al zaquiri dr frankensteins.

When you don't have the ideas, find the hatred or fear people share and it will be an amazing "pogrom program". Bad politicians always use this. They always win and always temporary. I don't want to mention the names they are too many. Success in your mediocre start!

He is no better than his father was, full of religious hatred.

I was very impressed with his speech, and fully agree. We need a leader that isn't afraid to speak out against all the injustices in Israeli society , someone with integrity( people have forgotten what it means) and someone who will stand up for my children as Reform Jews against the orthodox. Good luck!!!!! We'll be following your career!!

Sound to me like Shas has what lapid wants.

Don't judge him let him do POLITICS

so no % . I said that with their "good education" there are shas leaders in jail . Good education indeed . Sadly for you that you lost the GOOD education you received when you became religious . You showed it now . I ddid'nt talk about numbers , something you apparently did'nt see .

So Lapid is bashing Shas. Will get anything better from this? Does Shas really control the state? They are an influential group in the government like any other group is influential, too. Israel Beitenu is influencial, Likud is influencial.... They form a coalition-government! You don't like this coalition? If you don't like Shas' influence say it like it is and don't be a populist! It's not that they control the state, they have influence and you don't like this! Go to the polls! So the stateless Arabs are doing something Lapid doesn't like? They sit and wait? What do you want? More missiles? The Israeli governments also do something, I don't like. They try to be the good one, thus giving the bad one chance by chance. I believe it is better, if Israel is the bad one. Once! Once for 14 days! Really bad! They (the stateless Arabs) already have the refugee status! It doesn't matter, where they celebrate their status! They constitute as a peoples of refugees. Their state is a virtual state with a terrorist government. Why does the Peoples of Israel allow them to celebrate their virtual state on Israeli soil? I am fed up with this political twisting of facts. Yair, you are a beautiful man! It's not necessary that you try to pull the wool over our eyes. Speak the truth! Get on my bad side, just like Lieberman. He made me loving him for that!

I was waiting anxiously for Lapid to show us his national platform. However, he just told us that he does not represent the entire country. The country belongs to all of us, not just Lapid's narrow strip of middle class. Yes, we have to get the Haredim and Arabs working. Yes, we have to change the electoral system to create accountability. But no, Lapid's narrow-minded band of secular heroes are not going to save us from ourselves. The battle is to engage the orthodox and Arabs and get them working and participating, not to cut their budgets. If Lapid talked about how he's going to do that, then I'd listen to him in the future. However, he's just a political re-incarnation of his father, and being anti-haredi does not mean that you are pro-middle class.

you are prejudiced against every body who is religious ,with some exceptions. Of course you didn t talk about numbers,that s why i asked you. My Tora education allows me to give my opinion,however without insulting people. I hope sincerely,that one day you will be able to see people s qualities and overlook their flaws.Nobody is perfect.[except you???] Have a fine Shabat,Charles.

their education doesn't mean anything? As that appears to be what you are saying then I must ask. How is this the case? Also, do you have evidence that shows that once someone becomes religious after having a good education they no longer contribute to society?

But i react when people claim they have a better education with some facts to contradict them . I know , or begin to know , you , with your GREAT qualities but also a lack of confidence in what people tell . Have a very fine שבת .

Yair, you self-hating Jew, just go away!

On the contrary Eilat Mazar's findings have strong support despite minimilist claims. As for Israel Finkelstein, his move to a centrist posiion is more recent.

I think that when someone is becoming religious , in this case ultra religious , the good education they received [ i know the school where she was ] is obliterated [ not the exact word , sorry ] by this new way of thinking . Has nothing to do with contribution to society . Do you sit during the night in front of your PC ? When it's 11 AM here , it's 4 AM in New York .