October 11, 2009

MK Ophir Pines-Paz (Labor) commented Sunday on a report issued by Hiddush on relations between secular and ultra-Orthodox Israelis.

“There is no doubt that the public wants equality in bearing the public burden and is interested in genuine freedom of religion and conscience,” Pines-Paz said. “The public does not want phenomena such as segregation on bus lines, but nobody is dealing with this on a national level; they are all burying their heads in the sand. All of the political parties avoid these matters, leaving the Haredim to benefit. The study shows clearly that except for the ultra-Orthodox MKs, all members of Knesset are in dereliction of their duty. The survey underscores the enormous gap between the forgiving public and its elected representatives, while Israel sprints with its eyes closed toward becoming a halakhic state.”