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Oct 23, 2013

a public letter to the people of Bet Shemesh

a guest post by MK Rabbi Dov Lipman

Dear Fellow Residents of Bet Shemesh,

The elections which we just experienced were troubling on many levels.   I condemn the corruption which manifested itself in many ways including false ID cards, attempts to tamper with ballots, illegal address changes and the use of schools and school children to interfere with the election results.   I must condemn the abuse of our beautiful religion and the honor of rabbis for the sake of dirty politics.   I will work hard to insure that steps are taken on a national level to protect democracy in the future and to continue to spread the beauty that lies within our faith.

However, the results are the results and now we have to look forward.   On a local level I have already reached out to the mayor with the hope that we can work together to make progress for Bet Shemesh.   We continue to work on a government level to create a beautiful national park in the hills of Ramat Bet Shemesh and to make sure that neighborhoods are built for the general population.   I hope the mayor will join the efforts to create a hi-tech park in our region as well as adding classrooms and building new school buildings for all populations in the city.   I will do whatever I can within the government to assist with these efforts. 

On a deeper level, we need to do our part to minimize the tension between populations in he city.   It is my hope that the mayor will reach out to Eli Cohen and other supporters of his to join his coalition and work together.  This example will set the mood for the general population which is in need of healing.

I view the tension which we experienced these past months as deeper than just Bet Shemesh.  To this end, we are hard at work to help chareidim enter the work force.   Aside from the mitzvah of assisting chareidim to sustain their families with dignity, I truly believe that this effort will reduce the polarization and generate greater unity.

Finally, I want to thank Eli Cohen and his entire team for the remarkable campaign which was nothing short of inspirational.   You gave your time, your hearts, and your souls for the sake of our city and will, no doubt continue to do so.

Best wishes,

MK Rabbi Dov Lipman


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11 comments:

  1. What a piece of work this Lipman is.

    Step 1: Undermine the election results by implying only one sided dirty politicking
    Step 2: Repeat the false and unsubstantiated accusations about multiple Chareidim registering to live in one apartment.
    Step 3: Imply that he has a respect for Rabbonim while the Chareidim disrespect them as opposed to reverse
    Step 4: Claim a new found alliance with the mayor with whom amazingly just one day post-elections he already have numerous projects in the works
    Step 5: Though himself being the source of so much friction between Chareidim and Daati Leumi, claim a deep rooted desire to help unite Bet Shemesh
    Step 6: (not-so) Subtly mock and degrade the Chareidim by implying that there is a great Mitzvah to change them to his way of thinking.

    Yeah Dov, we hear your message

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dov,
    With all due respect this isn't about you. Youre opinion isn't very important or relevant on this matter.
    Best wishes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are a nicer "Anonymous" than me. You see, the reason he had to write a letter is because this election wasn't about him. He played no important role at all and Bet Shemesh might have noticed that. This is why he had to write a public letter.

      Delete
    2. The most egregious example of attempted 'dirty politics' was MK Lipman's false accusation with absolutely no evidence in a Knesset committee that the Chareidim had been having many yeshiva students who live in Yerushalayim change their address to be able to vote in Bet Shemesh. This attempt was reported in the Jerusalem Post and other news outlets and videos of the discussion are available on the internet. The committee head pointed out correctly that the number of Charedim registered was consistent with the normal population growth in Bet Shemesh since the previous election, and she rejected the unfounded claims. It is sad to see that MK Lipman's primary goal seems to be to paint charedim in a negative light whenever possible.

      The problem is actually worse than that. During the discussion of MK Lipman's claims in the committee, one MK asked him the following: There is also an important vote in Yerushalayim. Why would a charedi switch his voting address to Bet Shemesh to strengthen the charedi vote there, if that would weaken the charedi vote in Yeruashalayim? A very good question.
      MK Lipman answered that the main struggle is in Bet Shemesh. He is the one who painted the vote in Bet Shemesh as us (the good Dati Leumi and Chilonim) v. them (the bad charedim). Essentially, that was the national campaign theme of Yesh Atid as well.

      Incredibly, MK Lipman repeats this false claim of illegal address changes again in this letter, despite it having been rejected by the Knesset committee.

      This open letter continues this consistent theme of us v. them. It is utterly hypocritical for MK Lipman to discuss any form of joint working together given his party's policies and campaign themes.

      Delete
  3. Get lost Lipman!
    Your party of hate was rejected yesterday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As opposed to your party of hate, which won? Again?

      Delete
  4. Dov
    Youre a nice guy but you don't get it. Your politics, all your sincerity and hope, is as useless as Deris manipulations and Litzmans brawn. Youre never going to win, they lack the truth and you lack their smarts, neither of you are right for the people.
    As long as you still point to learning in the Knesset with Calderon as an accomplishment, youll never be taken seriously

    ReplyDelete
  5. Rafi--You might want to consider not posting totally anonymous comments. It's not hard to give at least a pseudonym, and it's far less confusing for readers.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow. Anonymous 1 through 7, you guys sound like an 8 year old bully. Full of jealousy and insecurity due to your own lack of accomplishment. Dov made it to the Knesset and you guys are losers. Get off your computer and do something and stop kvetching.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Its funny I was gonna say the same thing about the Eli Cohen supporters

      Delete
  7. Rafi, could you please, please reconsider not posting anonymous comments. I think even a modicum of accountability would raise the level of civility, as well as make clear who is speaking.

    ReplyDelete

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