A Hot Summer Ahead

The political temperature is rising and the clouds of a colossal culture clash are looming on the Jerusalem horizon. Over the last few days, the Supreme Court has passed down two rulings that have shocked and enraged people in the Haredi community.

Two days ago, the Supreme Court ruled that Yeshiva bochers can no longer count on studying instead of working, and expecting the government, in other words the tax payers, to support them and their families financially. That obviously caused an uproar in the Haredi sector, which has grown accustomed to the rest of the Israeli population paying for their lifestyle.

The ink on that ruling had hardly had time to dry before the next judicial blow to the Haredim. In a ruling yesterday, it was decided that if the illegal discrimination against girls of Oriental origins in Haredi schools is not discontinued by Thursday, that is tomorrow, the responsible parties will be sent to prison.

Significantly enough, it’s the judicial system – and not our elected politicians – who has put its foot down in defense of justice and democracy in this country. For years, our elected officials have opted to placate the demands of the growing Haredi sector in order to ensure their own positions, ignoring the growing financial, educational and social problems in the wake of this shortsighted policy.

And in the wings Yair Lapid is biding his time, waiting for the right moment to pick up his father’s fallen torch.