Those statements by Shas do not constitute a legitimate dialogue in a democratic country such as Israel, therefore are offensive and unacceptable, esp. in a situation when Yair Lapid clearly reaches out to them in a cordial manner

I am certainly not privy to Yair Lapid's inner soul, but what I read from his writings is always negative towards religion and observant Jews.

democratic reflex.

deny real person and claim real person lies when claiming to be different from strawman. Same as American Democrats -- except Obama couldn't deal with real person.

Shas has only three interests, a) to keep hold of the ministries it runs, like the interior ministry, to give its followers, jobs but more importantly in their eyes, to control who the registry of Jews, so that Conservative and Reform Jews are controlled, b) to keep soaking the ministries for their own ends, like building towns (Ghettos) for the Haridim, all towns/neighborhoods should be for anyone to live in and c) fostering the the hatred of those who don't live like they do. it is nothing to do with politics or trying to benefit the country as a whole. They have no idea what leadership means.

When has Lapid ever been negative against religion itself? All Lapid has been against is religious coercion. For example he is against the orthodox deciding alone who is a Jew. He also wants the haredi to have the same obligations as their fellow citizens by requiring them to serve in the army or do national service and also not have haredi schools subsidized when they don't basic the required core subjects like math and science. How is that unreasonable?

If Lapid is against orthodox "alone" deciding who is a Jew, then he's not concerned about having a state with a Jewish character and majority. As far as he's concerned the country could be filled with Reform Jews and Chanuka bushes, as well as Pesach easter eggs. Lapid is an opportunistic character thinking that his brutish looks can slip him into the PM's office. the guy looks as if he's far more sutied to be abouncer than Lieberman, who was only trying to make a living.

i am not a friend of lapid but why not? anything better but a a hypocritical Shas party who will vote for anything as long it gets funding for ovadia's ranting ideas. or a moshe gafni who says unless the haredim get there will be no budget. so why not? as long as lapid will be able to differentiate and use his undoubted high intelligence. Why the heck not? Lets try something different and kick the rabbi bibi followers out and try something new. Why the heck not? we tried all the dreck before.

Lapid wants everyone to serve in the IDF, but he forgets to mention that he himself did not serve. Lapid wants everyone to work and pay taxes, but he forgets to mention that his daddy got him his cushy job from day 1.

Lapid, like his late father, wants to take the Jewishness out of Israel. There is onl;y one Jewish nation in the world. Lapid wants there to be none.

If ever there was a case to seperate politics from Religion $h-ass surely is the reason. With 7 $h-ass MKs jailed so far for charges of corruption , fraud and theft i hardly need to elaborate. How is BenIzri these days now hes got out of jail ?

... to join a coalition with UTJ in it, in complete contrast to campain promises to constituants, and then suddenly drew the line with Shas, apparantly being hellbent against a social justice party with roots in tradition.

Take their citizenship away because they do not fulfill citizens' duties to the state. Take their welfare money away because they don't work nor pay taxes. Make sure Haredim who want to leave their communities have a miklat within the secular establishment and will get proper retraining. As for education, the schools for adults among hozrim ba'sheela will need to start from the first grade since Ultra Orthodox know nothing.

First of all, many many many of today's "Jewish" customs are not originally Jewish. Get a book on Minhagim. Secondly, why not include other forms of Jewish worship instead of excluding everything and be agressive?

BB is good in foreign policy. We do need him to protect our nation from bad intentions of Obama. Other leaders might sell us to them just to get their friendship and money support. On the other hand, haredim are eating Israel from within. If this problem is not solved them in few coming years our whole economy and freedom will be doomed. We will have civil war and do not need any outside enemy to destroy. I will vote for either Lapid or Liberman as I see haredim threat is much more than Iran.

Lapid is a mean haredi-hater who has a secret agenda to rule the world. Now that this matter is settled, can Yishai explain us again why haredim are living on public money? why they don't serve in the army? why they are segregating women in public transportation?

Lapid is like Shas and will vote for anything and join anybodies coalition provided he gets what he wants out of it. Lapid formed his party not because he wanted to contribute to the country but because he wanted a political career and rather than work his way up the ranks of a mainstream party he decided to form a new party based which was built around his celebrity not his policy He is not some kind of beacon of light he is just leader of another single issue in this case his own career and the only thing that distinguishes him from Shas is their pet causes are different. You want to use your vote responsibly vote for one of the three mainstream parties that actually run to run the country. If we all voted mainstream there would be no Shas or Lapid but there would be stable government & better policy making.

Shas and religious are feeling to powerful. They need to be knocked down a peg or two. I don't mind having some religious rules to live with in Israel, but lately religious are crossing red lines with society.

The rest of your comment is wrong too.