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Aug 7, 2016
The power of the people
I am impressed by the power of the people.
Example 1:
A few months back an agreement was reached between the government and the Women of the Wall and Reform representatives by which the egalitarian plaza would be enlarged and a new council formed for administering it. The deal was approved and the Haredi MKs in the government allowed it to go through even with their lip service of protest. After the deal was a fait accompli and publicized, the Haredi street and media got upset that the government made a deal with the Reform about this and gave them a foothold. Shortly after that the Haredi MKs suddenly started protesting the agreement (that they were a part of) and they fought against it, throwing the agreement back into limbo. It was clear that they were pressured by the "Haredi street" to not just let it slide through.
Example 2:
The new broadcasting authority has been the subject of much argument between different branches of the government. Finally they have all, seemingly, come to an agreement on its formation and it seems to be a done deal, as of a week ago. Suddenly some residents of Har Nof discover that the broadcasting authority purchased a building just outside of Har Nof in which to house the new complex.
The new Broadcasting authority is going to regularly desecrate the Shabbos at the edge of Har Nof. They do not like that and say it is going to threaten the character of the neighborhood and they went to the Haredi MKs to push them to fight it.
The Haredi MKs response was basically that they did not know, they will look into it, if it is true they will fight it and they will not allow this to happen.
Once again, the Haredi MKs were going to let it go through as part of whatever agreement they had agreed to in exchange for whatever votes they wanted supported by the government, but the Haredi street rose up and said no, and now the Haredi MKs have to pick up the gauntlet and fight it.
And no, I do not believe they did not know. The current broadcasting authority is mechalel shabbos, so without extracting a promise that the new authority won't be, they new it would be. The Ministers and MKs, especially Gafni and Deri, are surely aware of every detail of this hotly contested issue, and in no way do I beleieve that they did not know there would be chilul shabbos or that it would be located outside of Har Nof.
So,, my conclusion is that the people are far more powerful than previously thought. they are not just led, but they also set the tone when they want to.
Example 1:
A few months back an agreement was reached between the government and the Women of the Wall and Reform representatives by which the egalitarian plaza would be enlarged and a new council formed for administering it. The deal was approved and the Haredi MKs in the government allowed it to go through even with their lip service of protest. After the deal was a fait accompli and publicized, the Haredi street and media got upset that the government made a deal with the Reform about this and gave them a foothold. Shortly after that the Haredi MKs suddenly started protesting the agreement (that they were a part of) and they fought against it, throwing the agreement back into limbo. It was clear that they were pressured by the "Haredi street" to not just let it slide through.
Example 2:
The new broadcasting authority has been the subject of much argument between different branches of the government. Finally they have all, seemingly, come to an agreement on its formation and it seems to be a done deal, as of a week ago. Suddenly some residents of Har Nof discover that the broadcasting authority purchased a building just outside of Har Nof in which to house the new complex.
The new Broadcasting authority is going to regularly desecrate the Shabbos at the edge of Har Nof. They do not like that and say it is going to threaten the character of the neighborhood and they went to the Haredi MKs to push them to fight it.
The Haredi MKs response was basically that they did not know, they will look into it, if it is true they will fight it and they will not allow this to happen.
Once again, the Haredi MKs were going to let it go through as part of whatever agreement they had agreed to in exchange for whatever votes they wanted supported by the government, but the Haredi street rose up and said no, and now the Haredi MKs have to pick up the gauntlet and fight it.
And no, I do not believe they did not know. The current broadcasting authority is mechalel shabbos, so without extracting a promise that the new authority won't be, they new it would be. The Ministers and MKs, especially Gafni and Deri, are surely aware of every detail of this hotly contested issue, and in no way do I beleieve that they did not know there would be chilul shabbos or that it would be located outside of Har Nof.
So,, my conclusion is that the people are far more powerful than previously thought. they are not just led, but they also set the tone when they want to.
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Labels:
chillul shabbos,
haredim
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So when does it switch from Lashon Hora to Motzai Shem Ra - with your insulting assumptions about the Chareidi MKs duing the 9 days.
ReplyDeleteWait. So you admit that the implicit accusations are bad? After all, if what is being done is neutral or good, it doesn't fall into either, right?
DeleteWhat the heck are you talking about? The baseless accusations that Rafi wrote, where he said he didn't believe the Chareidi MKs , and accused them of implicitly condoning Chilul Shabbos in exchange for other bills is outright Motzi Shem Ra and he should be ashamed. Especially now during the 9 days
DeleteSaying that you don't believe someone is not Motzei Shem Ra.
Deleteoops. Gafni just approved transferring 10million nis to the Reform but he didnt know again until someone else told him
Deletehttp://www.kikar.co.il/206666.html
maybe the Haredi community needs smarter representatives.
not impressed. If there was a rise of people for better education and they listened that would be something.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear the 'street' is waking up. This should be in all sectors of the public. Politicians are voted in to do the will of the people, but once they become politicians, they are 99% only out for themselves, their positions, money, etc. By people waking up and showing 'you work for us', not the other way around, they will get the hint that ]no more free ride' because they won't be voted in again. A smart public has the upper hand. The world has so gone to sleep that they allow those in 'power' to rule and this includes even so-called 'religious' MK's and others in public service. They need to be reminded are the servants.
ReplyDeleteThis post is one of the 18 chosen for The Best 18 for Havel Havelim! Blog Roundup, Av 5776.
ReplyDeleteYes, only 18 חי Chai= Life!
You're in good company; take a look!
I think more credit goes to the Haredi talk media who has managed to keep certain issues in the public eye. On one hand, they are complicit with Haredi MKs when the most of the time do not risk criticizing them, but in these rare opportunities, they actually forced the Haredi MKs to respond to the issues they surely wanted to just let go quietly.
ReplyDeleteIt does not even seem to be that the Haredi MKs played along with the government and quietly told the media to make noise, because either way, the Haredi MKs look bad for being apathetic on this.