the heart and soul of Israel. The non- haredi Israelis share very little if any of the values of the haredi Israelis. At some point in the future due to their relatively high population growth rate, these elections will be won by the Haredim, and their value system will eventually be imposed on everyone else. I fear for Israel's future when this occurs.

The state's ridiculous tolerance of Haredi intolerance must end.

the future looks very very bleak for this part of the world. The real war is not between Jews and Muslims so much as between primitive superstition and scientific rationality. I thank my lucky stars that I am an Anglo living in the Anglo country.

It makes me sick to my stomach when I see how Haredim high population numbers are distorting the purpose of a democratic system for which Israel fought so hard. Haredim have abducted democracy in Israel when their women started having so many babies. Haredi voters don't know what the issues are, what is the purpose of elections. All they want is to elect somebody who ignores their abuses, who will guarantee the continuation of money payouts to them. It is wonderful to be very far away from Israel on days like today.

Such racism. Imagine Michael in CA writing It makes me sick to my stomach when I see how blacks how blacks high population number are distorting the purpose of a democratic system. Quite honestly assimilated racists like you are not what we need here. I'm not haredi but I live and vote here. Haredim know what the issues are and the purpose of elections they just have different issues and vote for different candidates than you or I would. I understand that in a democracy people who disagree with me get to vote and get to have a say. People who don't live in Israel are not part of our democracy and don't get a vote or a say.

is a very very sick society. The sickness has many names, the symptoms are Bnei Brak, Bet Shemesh, Shas etc. This sickness is spreading and if an antidote is not found and administered swiftly it will bring about the demise of israel. I write these words with deep regret but my belief in them is profound.

Michael in CA is sick to his stomach and so am I. Your response to Michael was nonsense. To equate the Afro Americans to the Haredi community in Israel in respect of how and why they vote is completely stupid. The one will vote for a candidate no matter what his color or creed as long as he is good for society. The other voted in Bet Shemesh for an ideology representing a cult and gave a clear mandate to a Mayor who openly states that he will permit the laws of the land to be broken by allowing rioting and destruction of public property and the abuse of women in public with complete impunity, There is a vast difference.

I know we sometimes disagree. That's the nature of any society. But the anti-religious could be more successful in this conflict by refining their strategy. The anti-religious, atheists and liberal left, when they target "all religion" define themselves as the opposition to the majority of Jewish citizenry (who range from traditional to moderate Orthodox). At the voting booth, you lose -- because of the careless way your bloc defines the hated "other". Yet, my impression is that you'd, perhaps, "settle" for tolerance from the religious, perhaps even understanding that the definition of Israel does have a connection to the Bible. If tolerance is your higher priority (in contrast to eliminating "the religious"), then your bloc would be more successful by refining your targeting to surgical, pinpoint positions against the Ultra-Orthodox, as you do in these talkbacks, and restrain from alienating the majority of traditional to moderate Orthodox (who are tolerant, but Torah-reverent) as "the religious" (by whatever name). We could be allies in this struggle, despite disagreeing over "religion." If the traditional and moderate Orthodox could be persuaded to come together with each other (I think most of us do that already), and the liberal left to be more tolerant of "the religious" (instead of using the shotgun), as traditional and moderate Orthodox are tolerant of the liberal left (though, of course, disagreeing with them), then wouldn't WE have the significant advantage -- IF we could then somehow pep-rally, overcome apathy and get voters out? That's what I've been working toward for a long time; and it's pitted me against everyone periodically. But, I've seen a huge amount of progress, at least distinguishing more often "the Orthodox" of the old days to the "Haredim" (I think Ultra-Orthodox is more accurate) these days. Those who don't even know who they're fighting, or why, can't possibly win. First, they came for the converts...

A gradual approach worked in the U.S. where hatred was declared punishable by law. Totalitarian groups lost their vote appeal and political power (e.g. KKK) and disappeared for all practical purposes. Unfortunately for Israel, there isn't enough time under the current laws. The country will go on losing its best and brightest to emigration. While I admire the Kipot Srugot for their tolerance and attempts to bridge gaps with the Ultra Orthodox, their influence (of the National Religious) is waning. The fight against the Ultra Orthodox will explode. This is the way the country looks from a distance.

I can read your desperation between the lines, but I admire your resiliency. P.S. Blacks and Hispanics in the U.S. don't vote as a homogeneous group, and neither do women. None of such "groups" have a unifying agenda, along with Whites. Plenty of articles for you to read.

but for me it is not an option. Qui tacet consentire videtur. Tolerance Paquid ? Slavery was an ideology and it was eliminated by the shotgun. KKL was an ideology and it was eliminated by very harsh legislation and by instilling in people's minds that the Constitution takes preference over State laws and Bye Laws. The Church and its institutions terrorized England until good King Harry passed two Acts of Dissolution and indeed disolved and damn near vaporized circa 3000 monastries, abbeys and churches and then strung up thousands of their former inhabitants. Now I do not of course advocate such drastic measures, but I do sincerely believe that a radical approach must be made. These folks do not agree with Zionism, they denounce democracy and have declared intent to instigate a theocracy when they come to power, yet they use the ballot box to come to power. Is this not hypocricy, is this not irony, is this not cynicism, is this not disingenuous ? My family and that of my wife have plowed and tilled this land since before 1900, my grandchildren are 5th generation and I and my sons have given the best in order to create a free democratic society in our ancient homeland which of course is inscribed in The Torah, but these folks have not only hijacked Judaism and Zionism, they are about to hijack the endeavor of the many generations from 1882 onwards. The Israel envisioned by the Founding Fathers is not the one of today, worse, it is not the one that these folks want and will impose on all of us. My anger is great, I find it difficult to express myself for fear that my words will not be printed, but silent i shall not be.

Of course I recognize fully the connection that we have with our homeland through the Torah. The Torah is the supercharger that runs the engine called Zionism. The Torah is essentially a history of our People, it is an intrinsic part of who and what we are. It is composed of lots of historical facts embellished with fantasy intended as propaganda and it has done a perfect job in sustaining us for 2000 years and in returning us home. This does not give the Ultras the right or authority to take a modern, thriving robust society, built upon sweat and blood, and morph it into something that others do not want, the others being those who wiped the sweat and spilt the blood. I am able to be tolerant of any group or person, even if I do not like them or disagree with them. I will not tolerate those who have no respect for society and its laws and for their fellow human being.