 |
| Charedim and settlers at a demonstration in 2011 - Photo Credit Times of Israel |
For those unfamiliar with the term – BDS stands for Boycott,
Divest, and Sanction. This is a campaign started in 2005 by Palestinians and their sympathizers who claim that Israel is
an oppressive occupier of innocent Palestinians on the West Bank. They have
called for a boycott of all products and divestment of any businesses who have
dealings with the West Bank. They have also called for sanctions against the State of
Israel itself until they give in to all the Palestinian demands including but
not limited to “returning” the West Bank to its “rightful owners” the Palestinian
people.
Most of us thought that anyone who supports sanctions like
these are either anti-Semites or seriously misguided if well intentioned people. Many
of whom are Jews. Misguided because they fail to see the broader picture; do
not factor in historical facts or security issues. Well intended because at least in some cases they
see what appears to be injustices and want them to be corrected.
The Charedi world apparently feels the same way. They could not care less if Israel retains the West Bank - as long as their Mosdos (religious institutions)
get funded. That is the reason for the boycott. From JTA - here is the way some Charedi
media personalities put it:
“We need to think twice about supporting those who hate us. It’s about time we stop being suckers,” commentator Avi Bloom said, according to the Times of Israel. “When Bennett cries about mothers not being able to sleep at night, you can come and ask him by what right does he not allow Tel Aviv mothers, and now ultra-Orthodox mothers as well, to sleep at night because of the need to protect some random outpost."
Kol Baramah commentator Yaakov Rivlin echoed the sentiment. “It’s time to end all these relations with the real estate dealers in the West Bank territories,” he said.
A senior columnist for the Hamodia newspaper, Yisrael Hershkowitz, wrote, "The settlements will pay the price for the costly arrogance” of Bennett.
Hershkowitz said companies located in Jewish settlements in the West Bank or companies owned by settlers could go out of business if boycotted by haredim.
Now I am no supporter of settlements on the West Bank.
Ceratinly not those ‘random outposts’ that are there for Religious Zionist
reasons about settling all of Eretz Yisroel. Although I do believe in that religious principle I do not believe now is the time
for that. In fact believe that Israel should do whatever it can to avoid
conflict with Palestinians or exacerbate their enmity. Israel should bend over backwards to avoid oppressive
measures to the extent that it is able to do so without compromising the safety
of its citizens. I believe that Israel tires to do that to the best of their
ability despite accusations to the contrary by the BDS people.
I believe that Charedim are on the same page with me on the
issue of West Bank settlements. But where I part company with them is when they
start boycotting people – not because they think Israel is being excessively
harsh on the Palestinian people. But because they think it will pressure the government
into continuing its financial support at previous levels. And also because of their opposition to the political right wing (that champions the cause West Bank settlements and
includes Religious Zionists) that insist Charedim have to subject
themselves to the draft equally with all citizens. Charedim want them to ‘pay
a price’! for all of that, it seems.
So there you have it - BDS and Charedim uniting to boycott
the Jewish State - even if not in common cause. Never in a million years would
I have ever predicted this unholy coalition. And yet… there it is.
There is something not quite right when religious Jews unite
with enemies of the Jewish people to undermine the Jewish
State. Even if one does not support the settlements, to boycott them along with
our enemies because of financial considerations or as a means to punish political opponents does not become people who claim to be the most religious
and God fearing among us.
Although it is off-putting to see all of this happening, one can
understand why they do it. The Charedi world in Israel exists financially to a
great extent because of government largess. That is why the Charedi parties
always join in coalition with the governing party regardless of whether it is a
right wing or left wing one. It is their way of getting the most financial
support by promising to vote with them on political matters.
Charedim are not political right wingers or left wingers.
They are interested only in continuity. They know that much of their community
depends on those government stipends just to survive at poverty level. As do
their institutions. They believe that dedication to full time Torah study and
nothing less is the true Derech HaShem. They therefore see all of this as Hishtadlus
– putting forth maximum effort to see that their lifestyle continues unabated.
Desperate men do desperate things. If that means destroying the livelihoods of
West Bank residents via a boycott of their products – so be it.
