Haredim - High Level of Distrust of Government Policies

Dr. Gilad Malach, Director of IDI's Ultra-Orthodox in Israel program on MK Ya'acov Litzman's resignation from the Cabinet: "Indicative of a very strong sentiment among the ultra-Orthodox community where there is currently a high level of distrust of government policies."

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“MK Litzman’s resignation is indicative of a very strong sentiment among the ultra-Orthodox community where there is currently a high level of distrust of government policies. Significant portions of this segment of the population feels that they were singled out in the implementation of the "corona restrictions" enacted by the government and that synagogues are discriminated against in comparison with demonstrations. This perceived harm to their communities' sense of togetherness and, more importantly to their religious practices, is also reflected in the strong sentiments of anger expressed by ultra-Orthodox voters at their own political representatives who they perceive have failed to fulfill their duties and in doing so betrayed for the trust of their voters. MK Litzman is aware of this percolating sense of rage at the political leadership and therefore stood at the forefront of the struggle both in relation to travel to Uman and now with the expected imposition of a country-wide closure during the High Holidays.”

Dr. Malach added: “Litzman, and his Gur Hasidic sect as a whole, tend to be more rigid and less likely to compromise on religious matters than others in the ultra-Orthodox community. This was evident in their refusal to make any concessions during the debates on the recruitment law when other elements in the Agudat Yisrael and Degel HaTorah parties, not to mention Shas, were willing to compromise while Litzman, the emissary of the Rebbe of Gur, refused attempts to reach a solution.”