In the newest iteration of the Yisrael Beytenu party under Avigdor Lieberman, they no longer talk about assassinating Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh or death sentences for terrorists. The party is now rattling its sabers at an old-new enemy: The ultra-Orthodox, the root of all our troubles. Blue and White co-leader Yair Lapid also shares this sentiment. The disgraceful video clip he used to allege an extortion scheme to assure an additional one trillion shekels for the yeshivas, reveals for the umpteenth time his true nature: The man who once accused the yeshiva students of receiving monthly salaries of 8,000 shekels ($2,300), and never issued a retraction, is now gunning for the whole pot: One trillion shekels. Haredi extortion – the gift that keeps on giving.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
The allocation of duties between Yisrael Beytenu and Blue and White on the haredi issue is nothing short of astounding. Lieberman has taken aim at the matter of separating religion and state – from conversion policies to operating businesses on Shabbat; and Lapid is focusing on economic parasitism. In any case, it is neither sensical nor fair that only one party should enjoy the spoils of this propaganda treasure trove.
Lapid, however, forgot to mention one simple fact in his video: The biggest drain on the national coffer has been none other than the leader of the Yisrael Beytenu party, not the haredim. He is the one who dragged the country to another election, which will cost the economy an estimated 5 billion shekels ($1.4 billion).
He will tell you that haredi demands are disproportionate. He won't tell you that the 2019 budget proposal earmarked 1.3 billion shekels ($400 million) for independent education, yet 13.1 billion for official education. In other words, it is a legitimate allotment considering the ratio of haredim to the general population. But who if not the haredim are as worthy of being labeled extortionists and pilferers? It indeed seems to have an effect on a public fuelled by resentment, and it plays into the hands of those rummaging for votes.
Yes, the haredi parties have demands. They represent their constituencies, which makes them exactly the same as all other parties. But they don't only think of the haredim; far from it. From their battles over healthcare and education services to securing funds for families and institutions, their efforts benefit society at large – haredim and secular, Jews and non-Jews.
The serial campaigns against the haredim have long become part of our collective memory, always involving the basic assertion that haredi demands are excessive and brazen. Even if this is true – which it isn't – the cost of another election is twice the budget for yeshivas, independent schools, and institutes for Torah study combined. It's possible, however, that this time a line has been crossed. Perhaps the hateful slogans, incitement of secular Israelis against haredim and toxic propaganda won't be effective forever. Even lies have their limits. Israeli society has moved on; the time has come for you, Lieberman and Lapid, to do the same.
