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The Weekly Scandal: “Blow up the Supreme Court”

The Weekly Scandal: “Blow up the Supreme Court”

Uri Regev 10/05/2022 22:00

There is hardly a week that goes by without a scandal or a struggle over religion and state. The weekly scandal, which accompanied last week's Independence Day celebration, is the video clip in which MK Yitzhak Pindrus, chair of the UTJ (United Torah Judaism, the Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox faction in the Knesset) is seen expressing his desire to blow up the Supreme Court: “You know what my dream is? To bring a D9 [bulldozer] and blow up the building.”

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Growing frictions between religion and state in Israel

Growing frictions between religion and state in Israel

06/04/2017 01:09

Israel's Supreme Court has handed down two decisions that demonstrate the critical importance of an independent civil judiciary, but the Government Coalition continues to capitulate to the ultra-Orthodox political parties.

Leading Ashkenazi Rabbi rules: Women should not be allowed to drive

Leading Ashkenazi Rabbi rules: Women should not be allowed to drive

Uri Regev 26/01/2017 15:57

Often we are reminded of the outlook at the core of the ultra-Orthodox political parties' actions. While they may appear to share our respect for a democratic society oriented toward civil liberties, the truth is that their motivations are anything but.

‘Tzviut’ – not ‘tzniut’! (Hypocrisy, not modesty)

‘Tzviut’ – not ‘tzniut’! (Hypocrisy, not modesty)

Uri Regev 29/11/2016 23:08

The first business conference organized by the ultra-Orthodox newspaper Hamodia, Agudat Israel’s organ, took place last week. So who was not invited? Not a single woman – neither as a speaker nor as an attendee.

The ‘Muezzin Bill’ – a masquerade

The ‘Muezzin Bill’ – a masquerade

Uri Regev 22/11/2016 11:51

It's the Litzmans and Deris of the religious Jewish leadership that have never hesitated to deny these very freedoms to fellow Jews and non-Jews whenever they have had the political ability to do so.

How low can Israeli politicians stoop?

How low can Israeli politicians stoop?

Uri Regev 17/11/2016 19:00

Regardless of one's political view point, it seems that many Americans are still trying to recover from the language that characterized much of the Presidential election campaign and manifested itself in some post election outbursts, including racial and anti-Semitic public displays.

Israeli religious leaders' theological responses to the US elections

Israeli religious leaders' theological responses to the US elections

15/11/2016 12:02

Some days out after the US elections, we can now take a look and share with you an angle that has not been covered by the US media, including the Jewish media. Namely, the Israeli religious "angle," both prior to and immediately after the elections. Needless to say, Hiddush, which focuses solely on issues of religion and state in Israel, is not taking a stand on the merits of the campaigns, the desirability of the candidates, the election results, nor the plethora of political post-election reactions in Israel, mostly from settlers and right-wing political party leaders.

Jerusalem’s destruction – past events and current concerns

Jerusalem’s destruction – past events and current concerns

Uri Regev 14/08/2016 11:50

Only the deepest soul searching and bold action this Tisha b'Av will stave off today’s threat of growing erosion from within the Jewish people and Jewish, democratic State.

62% support right of non-Orthodox converts to use mikva'ot

62% support right of non-Orthodox converts to use mikva'ot

28/06/2016 15:48

86% of Israel's secular Jewish population support this right, but 91% of the ultra-Orthodox population is opposed. Hiddush VP Shahar Ilan: "This Knesset vote was nothing less than spitting in the face of world Jewry. The best way to predict the Government Coalition's course of action on matters of religion and state is to poll the Israeli public and assume that the Coalition will do exactly the opposite."

Ultra-Orthodox newspaper portrays Reform Jews as donkeys

Ultra-Orthodox newspaper portrays Reform Jews as donkeys

24/06/2016 12:40

Yated Ne'eman is the newspaper of the Degel HaTorah party, which sits in PM Netanyahu's Coalition. They think of Reform Jews as donkeys, and of the Supreme Court as a dangerous political player, which equates "true" Judaism with donkeys posing as Jews.

Israel's ritual bath controversy

Israel's ritual bath controversy

Uri Regev 16/06/2016 23:00

Unsurprisingly, though extremely disappointingly, MK Gafni's partners in the Coalition Government have all bowed to his demands, and are supporting his legislative initiative to undo the landmark Supreme Court ruling on mikva'ot.

Dishonoring Holocaust Remembrance Day

Dishonoring Holocaust Remembrance Day

Uri Regev 06/05/2016 12:49

Leading up to Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, which Israeli and Diaspora Jewish communities are marking today, the ultra-Orthodox Yated Ne'eman newspaper chose to highlight their theological linking between the State of Israel and worldwide growing anti-Semitism.

Updates: the Kotel agreement & Supreme Court mikva'ot ruling

Updates: the Kotel agreement & Supreme Court mikva'ot ruling

Uri Regev 21/03/2016 14:39

In the last week, there have been a number of developments in the ultra-Orthodox political and rabbinical leadership's battle against the implementation of the Kotel agreement, as well as their battle against the Supreme Court's ruling to make Israel's public mikva'ot available for non-Orthodox conversion ceremonies.

Israel pushed towards theocracy

Israel pushed towards theocracy

Uri Regev 15/03/2016 21:36

Minister Rabbi Litzman: "Netanyahu either loves the Reform Jews of the Diaspora, or the Haredim of Israel; it's either-or. There are no two ways about it... The Supreme Court is destroying everything good related to religion & state, and... the only way to stand against it is by passing legislation."

Landmark ruling to allow non-Orthodox converts access to all mikva’ot

Landmark ruling to allow non-Orthodox converts access to all mikva’ot

Uri Regev 23/02/2016 11:01

A new front, far more vicious and perilous, has emerged. The Chief Rabbinate and ultra-Orthodox politicians are gearing up to prevent the implementation of this ruling to further undermine the Supreme Court and demonize the non-Orthodox movements.

Selling out to the ultra-Orthodox parties - what cost?

Selling out to the ultra-Orthodox parties - what cost?

01/05/2015 01:52

UTJ was one of the first parties to sign a coalition agreement with the Likud. What are the costs to the Israeli government and taxpayers associated with this agreement?

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