For a Democracy in Israel - An Israel for All Israelis!

To my dear fellow Israelis,

The article you see before you is about a Haredi demonstration which took place 12 years ago on 31/12/2011: already then there was clearly a deep and vicious hatred towards secular Jews as well as the Israeli government. A resentment towards any sector of the population that isn't Haredi and especially against secular Jewish lifestyle. Look at the use of the yellow star which is intended to represent the adverse hatred Haredim feel against secular Jews. A hatred they compare to that of the Nazis towards Jews. This cannot be a clearer and more hurtful representation of the serious divide within the Israeli Jewish society. As we are approaching our national Memorial Day for the Holocaust, I cannot be more distressed by the use of the yellow star. Do any of you recall that demonstration 12 years ago? I doubt it. You can read the full article from 2011 by clicking here:

(Photo: Noam Moskowitz)

One must wonder whether there were any actions taken following that 2011 demonstration? I think most Israelis dismissed it as yet another exaggeration of the Haredim, and we dismissed the potential influence they could have on our society. We were not attentive to their anger which only increased along with their rapid increase in population.

Today, while many Israelis continue their plea for Bibi to be removed from office as well as sentenced...While protests continue against the Judicial reforms which seem to already have been approved...While for years various leading figures in Education, Law and Economics have been warning us of harmful changes that were being planned, but we did nothing to prevent this. We all kept quiet and certainly didn't resort to any protests. A small number of Israelis protested over the years to end the Israeli occupation, but for most Israeli Jews there simply is no occupation. All is unquestionably according to the scriptures. "What occupation?" ask many Israelis. And these days many aren't at all alarmed by the word "dictatorship". In Israel?! ludicrous!

In fact, what we are protesting against today are the detrimental results of changes in policies that have been taking place quietly over the years. These steps were carefully planned out by ultra-religious groups wanting a fundamentally religious Jewish country based on the scriptures. What I feel is missing today in our demonstrations is the source of these changes rather than the results. Our country is heading towards a national disaster. If things continue as they are, Israel will become a poor, racist country with many children completing years of bible studies but without an education in mathematics, science or English. Violence will prevail and women's rights as well as care for the elderly, sick and poor will be pushed aside as if Israel were truly a 3rd world country.

I invite you to take part in an evening on the future of Israel and plans for rebuilding our society as one with mutual respect - a country where all types and congregations of Jews can reside along with Israeli citizens of other religious beliefs. Sunday the 16th of April at 8pm at the residence of Tamar and Yuval Krymolowski in Ramat Gan - The Napoleon Hill Musiclounge. We will be hosting Dr. Hedva Treger. To join the lecture and meeting click here http://www.flute.co.il/music-lounge and choose "Upcoming Events" from the menu of The Napoleon Hill Musiclounge.

Six months ago a group of us started a movement called"For a Democratic Israel"and we are pleased now to collaborate on ideas Dr. Hedva Treger has formulated in her movement called "Tnuat Haezrahim". We will be pleased to have you join us for this important meeting.