12 july 2016
Called in for a meeting with the head of the Manpower Directorate, Col. Eyal Karim claimed that he did not approve of raping women in wartime and supported drafting women to the IDF.
Rabbi Col. Eyal Karim, the IDF's selection to be the military's next chief rabbi, was called in on Tuesday to meet with Head of the Manpower Directorate Maj. Gen. Hagi Topolanski following the public outcry over the rabbi's previous misogynistic pronouncements, which included permitting rape during wartime.
Karim expressed regret for his earlier statements and said, "There is no license in times of peace or war to sexually assault women."
Karim, who also stated previously that female induction to the IDF was "completely forbidden," said to Topolanski that women should be drafted, and he added that the supported and believed in women serving in the IDF.
Regarding his statements on religious Jews being exposed to female singing voices at IDF ceremonies, the rabbi stated that he was part of the decision to establish the procedure that permits all soldiers to be present at events where women sing. In the past, he allegedly even ordered—on different occasions—that those present not leave.
A statement from the IDF Spokesperson unit said, "The IDF is the state army of the people, and he is proud to lead the Chief Rabbinate, and he promises to act stately, wisely, and with sensitivity in his position."
Karim , 59, is a Religious Zionist and is an alumnus of the Bnei Akiva Nachalim and the Ateret Cohanim yeshivas. He published many religious recommendations for observant soldiers to help them organize exemptions from activities on the Sabbath, and wrote four books on the matter.
In 2011, the colonel gave an opinion that, according to Jewish law, female singers should not perform at IDF ceremonies. "It's desirable to create a ceremonial post that respects the views of all those present at the ceremony, and, to that end, to bring a male and not a female singer," he wrote in a 28-page opinion. "When this would not be possible, due to various reasons, those whose sensitivities would be offended must be excused from attending the ceremony."
The rabbi gave a more shocking answer on the religious website Kipa when asked if soldiers were permitted to rape women during war. Karim replied that, as part of maintaining fitness for the army and the soldiers' morale during fighting, it is permitted to "breach" the walls of modesty and "satisfy the evil inclination by lying with attractive Gentile women against their will, out of consideration for the difficulties faced by the soldiers and for overall success."
Rabbi Col. Eyal Karim, the IDF's selection to be the military's next chief rabbi, was called in on Tuesday to meet with Head of the Manpower Directorate Maj. Gen. Hagi Topolanski following the public outcry over the rabbi's previous misogynistic pronouncements, which included permitting rape during wartime.
Karim expressed regret for his earlier statements and said, "There is no license in times of peace or war to sexually assault women."
Karim, who also stated previously that female induction to the IDF was "completely forbidden," said to Topolanski that women should be drafted, and he added that the supported and believed in women serving in the IDF.
Regarding his statements on religious Jews being exposed to female singing voices at IDF ceremonies, the rabbi stated that he was part of the decision to establish the procedure that permits all soldiers to be present at events where women sing. In the past, he allegedly even ordered—on different occasions—that those present not leave.
A statement from the IDF Spokesperson unit said, "The IDF is the state army of the people, and he is proud to lead the Chief Rabbinate, and he promises to act stately, wisely, and with sensitivity in his position."
Karim , 59, is a Religious Zionist and is an alumnus of the Bnei Akiva Nachalim and the Ateret Cohanim yeshivas. He published many religious recommendations for observant soldiers to help them organize exemptions from activities on the Sabbath, and wrote four books on the matter.
In 2011, the colonel gave an opinion that, according to Jewish law, female singers should not perform at IDF ceremonies. "It's desirable to create a ceremonial post that respects the views of all those present at the ceremony, and, to that end, to bring a male and not a female singer," he wrote in a 28-page opinion. "When this would not be possible, due to various reasons, those whose sensitivities would be offended must be excused from attending the ceremony."
The rabbi gave a more shocking answer on the religious website Kipa when asked if soldiers were permitted to rape women during war. Karim replied that, as part of maintaining fitness for the army and the soldiers' morale during fighting, it is permitted to "breach" the walls of modesty and "satisfy the evil inclination by lying with attractive Gentile women against their will, out of consideration for the difficulties faced by the soldiers and for overall success."
Col. Eyal Karim, the IDF's intended next chief rabbi, has previously provided misogynistic interpretations of Jewish law that consider female conscription 'utterly forbidden' and permits raping 'attracting Gentile women' as a way to keep up morale; female MKs and women's rights organizations, incensed, call for his appointment to be cancelled.
Rabbi Col. Eyal Karim, who was announced on Monday as the IDF's intended new chief rabbi, has provoked controversy with previous misogynistic statements, such as opposing female conscription and implying that rape was permissible in times of war.
The 59-year-old colonel was chosen to replace the outgoing chief rabbi, Brig. Gen. Rafi Peretz, who is stepping down after six years in the position. Karim has been serving as the head of the Rabbinate Department in the Military Rabbinate. He is an alumnus of the Bnei Akiva Nachalim and the Ateret Cohanim yeshivas, and he served previously as a combat paratrooper, eventually commanding their elite reconnaissance unit, before taking a break from the military and eventually returning to its rabbinate.
However, a number of Karim's controversial statements that have come to light have cast a shadow on his impending appointment.
For several years, Karim has responded to questions posed to him on the religious website Kipa. One such question was "What are the problems with conscripting girls to the army?"
Karim replied, "In a situation that existed, such as in the War of Independence, that exposed the nation of Israel to an existential threat, and the reality is defined as actually pikuach nefesh (a Jewish concept that requires setting aside most religious restrictions in order to save a life —ed.), then women also participated in defending the people and the country, even though the reality wasn't so modest. But currently, we aren't in a situation of actual pikuach nefesh.
"Because the damage to modesty that is likely to be caused to a girl and to the nation is decisive, the greats of the generation and the chief rabbinate have ruled that girls serving in the IDF is completely forbidden."
The rabbi gave a more shocking answer on the same site when asked if soldiers were permitted to rape women during war. Karim replied that, as part of maintaining fitness for the army and the soldiers' morale during fighting, it is permitted to "breach" the walls of modesty and "satisfy the evil inclination by lying with attractive Gentile women against their will, out of consideration for the difficulties faced by the soldiers and for overall success."
In 2011, the colonel gave an opinion that, according to Jewish law, female singers should not perform at IDF ceremonies. "It's desirable to create a ceremonial post that respects the views of all those present at the ceremony, and, to that end, to bring a male and not a female singer," he wrote. "When this would not be possible, due to various reasons, those whose sensitivities would be offended must be excused from attending the ceremony."
After Karim was announced as the intended new IDF chief rabbi, members of Knesset and women's rights organizations called for the decision to be revoked. The head of the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality, MK Aida Touma-Sliman (Joint Arab List), said, "Col. Karim's ruling on permitting raping non-Jewish women is similar to the fatwa of a murderous organization that's not so far from Israel's borders.
I will contact the attorney general and oppose the appointment, and I call on female and male members of Knesset to join my request."
The chairperson of Na'amat —Movement of Working Women & Volunteers, Galia Wolloch, said that Karim's appointment was unfortunate and that she intended to contact the IDF chief of staff to insist on its revocation. "Anyone who thinks that rape is okay as a morale-booster for soldiers, so long as it's of gentile women, cannot lead the army to good moral and spiritual places."
Meretz Chairperson MK Zehava Galon, announced, "Col. Eyal Karim is not suitable to be the chief rabbinical authority of the IDF, a body in which tens of thousands of women serve, and he isn't suitable to represent Jewish morality in any way whatsoever. His appalling, racist and violent statement makes women fair game."
MK Michael Rozin (Meretz), formerly the executive director of the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel, said, "I demand that in honor of his new position, Col. Karim go through a training course in preventing sexual assaults."
The IDF Spokesperson's Office issued a reply: "Col. Karim asks to clarify that his statement was issued as the answer to a theoretical question and not in any way whatsoever a question of practical Jewish law. Rabbi Karim has never written, said or even thought that and IDF soldier is permitted to sexually assault a woman in war—anyone who interprets his words otherwise is completely mistaken.
Rabbi Karim's moral approach is attested by his years of military service in command, combat, and rabbinical positions in which he displayed complete loyalty to the values and spirit of the IDF, in particular the dignity of the person."
Rabbi Col. Eyal Karim, who was announced on Monday as the IDF's intended new chief rabbi, has provoked controversy with previous misogynistic statements, such as opposing female conscription and implying that rape was permissible in times of war.
The 59-year-old colonel was chosen to replace the outgoing chief rabbi, Brig. Gen. Rafi Peretz, who is stepping down after six years in the position. Karim has been serving as the head of the Rabbinate Department in the Military Rabbinate. He is an alumnus of the Bnei Akiva Nachalim and the Ateret Cohanim yeshivas, and he served previously as a combat paratrooper, eventually commanding their elite reconnaissance unit, before taking a break from the military and eventually returning to its rabbinate.
However, a number of Karim's controversial statements that have come to light have cast a shadow on his impending appointment.
For several years, Karim has responded to questions posed to him on the religious website Kipa. One such question was "What are the problems with conscripting girls to the army?"
Karim replied, "In a situation that existed, such as in the War of Independence, that exposed the nation of Israel to an existential threat, and the reality is defined as actually pikuach nefesh (a Jewish concept that requires setting aside most religious restrictions in order to save a life —ed.), then women also participated in defending the people and the country, even though the reality wasn't so modest. But currently, we aren't in a situation of actual pikuach nefesh.
"Because the damage to modesty that is likely to be caused to a girl and to the nation is decisive, the greats of the generation and the chief rabbinate have ruled that girls serving in the IDF is completely forbidden."
The rabbi gave a more shocking answer on the same site when asked if soldiers were permitted to rape women during war. Karim replied that, as part of maintaining fitness for the army and the soldiers' morale during fighting, it is permitted to "breach" the walls of modesty and "satisfy the evil inclination by lying with attractive Gentile women against their will, out of consideration for the difficulties faced by the soldiers and for overall success."
In 2011, the colonel gave an opinion that, according to Jewish law, female singers should not perform at IDF ceremonies. "It's desirable to create a ceremonial post that respects the views of all those present at the ceremony, and, to that end, to bring a male and not a female singer," he wrote. "When this would not be possible, due to various reasons, those whose sensitivities would be offended must be excused from attending the ceremony."
After Karim was announced as the intended new IDF chief rabbi, members of Knesset and women's rights organizations called for the decision to be revoked. The head of the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality, MK Aida Touma-Sliman (Joint Arab List), said, "Col. Karim's ruling on permitting raping non-Jewish women is similar to the fatwa of a murderous organization that's not so far from Israel's borders.
I will contact the attorney general and oppose the appointment, and I call on female and male members of Knesset to join my request."
The chairperson of Na'amat —Movement of Working Women & Volunteers, Galia Wolloch, said that Karim's appointment was unfortunate and that she intended to contact the IDF chief of staff to insist on its revocation. "Anyone who thinks that rape is okay as a morale-booster for soldiers, so long as it's of gentile women, cannot lead the army to good moral and spiritual places."
Meretz Chairperson MK Zehava Galon, announced, "Col. Eyal Karim is not suitable to be the chief rabbinical authority of the IDF, a body in which tens of thousands of women serve, and he isn't suitable to represent Jewish morality in any way whatsoever. His appalling, racist and violent statement makes women fair game."
MK Michael Rozin (Meretz), formerly the executive director of the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel, said, "I demand that in honor of his new position, Col. Karim go through a training course in preventing sexual assaults."
The IDF Spokesperson's Office issued a reply: "Col. Karim asks to clarify that his statement was issued as the answer to a theoretical question and not in any way whatsoever a question of practical Jewish law. Rabbi Karim has never written, said or even thought that and IDF soldier is permitted to sexually assault a woman in war—anyone who interprets his words otherwise is completely mistaken.
Rabbi Karim's moral approach is attested by his years of military service in command, combat, and rabbinical positions in which he displayed complete loyalty to the values and spirit of the IDF, in particular the dignity of the person."
The Knesset has passed a law restricting the work of human rights groups opposing Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories and its policies against the Palestinians.
Under the new law, noted human rights groups that receive more than half of their funding from abroad, including from European governments, are demanded to disclose it clearly in official reports, meetings, interviews, emails etc.
Punitive measures will be taken against certain named groups that violate the law.
This legislation will target about two dozen left-wing groups that campaign for Palestinian rights while excluding right-wing pro-settlement NGOs, who will not be required to reveal their foreign funding sources.
The organizations to be affected include some of Israel’s most prominent rights groups, including Breaking the Silence, B’Tselem, Peace Now and Yesh Din.
The bill, promoted by Israel’s right-wing justice minister, Ayelet Shaked and backed by premier Binyamin Netanyahu, was passed by 57 to 48 votes following a lengthy and acrimonious debate on Monday. The law has been widely criticized in Israel and overseas.
Under the new law, noted human rights groups that receive more than half of their funding from abroad, including from European governments, are demanded to disclose it clearly in official reports, meetings, interviews, emails etc.
Punitive measures will be taken against certain named groups that violate the law.
This legislation will target about two dozen left-wing groups that campaign for Palestinian rights while excluding right-wing pro-settlement NGOs, who will not be required to reveal their foreign funding sources.
The organizations to be affected include some of Israel’s most prominent rights groups, including Breaking the Silence, B’Tselem, Peace Now and Yesh Din.
The bill, promoted by Israel’s right-wing justice minister, Ayelet Shaked and backed by premier Binyamin Netanyahu, was passed by 57 to 48 votes following a lengthy and acrimonious debate on Monday. The law has been widely criticized in Israel and overseas.
10 july 2016
Knesset
Central Bureau of Statistics survey finds 70% of Ethiopian immigrants don't trust the police, while 58% trust the justice system; 85% do not believe they can influence the government's policies, while 31% felt discriminated against.
The Israeli public trusts the IDF more than any other state institution while political parties received the lowest level of public trust, according to a survey conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) last year and published on Sunday.
The survey found that most Israelis do not have trust in the government or the Knesset, but still trust in the Israel Police and the justice system. Most of them don't believe they could influence the government or local municipalities' policies, and a third felt discriminated against.
The IDF received the highest level of support from the public—82 percent. There was no difference between men and women, with 83% of men putting their trust in the military and 82% of women. Meanwhile, Jews had greater trust (93%) in the IDF than Arabs (32%), while college graduates (88%) trusted in the IDF more than the rest of the population (79%).
Orthodox Jews expressed more support in the IDF than ultra-Orthodox Jews—97% compared to 72%, respectively. Among traditional Jews, 96% trust the IDF and 94% do among secularists.
It also appeared trust in the IDF increased along with one's age: 52% of 20-44 year olds have great trust in the IDF, 63% of 45-64 year olds and 73% among those 65 and older.
Almost two-thirds of the public (60%) trust the State Comptroller, and here too the level of trust is higher among Jews (64%) than Arabs (41%).
Most of the public trust the justice system (58%), with once again a higher rate among Jews (60%) compared to Arabs (41%). Here too, the more observant one is, the less trust they had in the justice system: 22% of ultra-Orthodox, 46% of Orthodox, 61% of traditional Jews and 70% of secularists. The rate of respondents who said they "do not trust the justice system at all" among ultra-Orthodox was 47% compared to 18% of Orthodox and 7% of secularists.
Among new immigrants, the rate of trust in the justice system is smaller—53% among immigrants from the former Soviet Union (who came from 1990 onwards) and 43% among Ethiopian immigrants.
Meanwhile, over half of the public expressed trust in the CBS itself, with greater levels of trust among college graduates (62%) compared to those who aren't (51%).
70% of Ethiopian immigrants don't trust police
A little more than half of the public (53%) expressed their trust in the Israel Police. Jews (57%) were once again found to trust police more than Arabs (34%), and older people more than younger people. A high level of distrust of the police was found among Ethiopian immigrants, 70%, while immigrants from the former Soviet Union mostly do trust the police—60%, compared to 34% who don't.
Most of the Israeli population expressed distrust in the government, with only 40% expressing trust in it. Jews (42%) expressed more trust than Arabs (28%), while the Orthodox and traditional Jews expressed the most trust in the government, 60%, compared to 29% of ultra-Orthodox and 32% of secularists. Thirty-nine percent of ultra-Orthodox and 32% of secularists said they "don't trust the government at all," compared to 13% of Orthodox.
The Knesset received an even lower score, with only 38% of the public expressing trust in it, 40% among Jews and 25% among Arabs. When it comes to the individual political parties, only 22% of the public expressed trust in them, 24% among Jews and 15% among Arabs.
Trust in local municipalities was higher, with 61% of the population expressing trust in them. Among municipalities of over 100,000 residents, Be'er Sheva enjoys the most trust (75%) from its residents, followed by Netanya and Rishon Lezion (73%), Tel Aviv (71%), Rehovot (69%), Holon (68%), Bat Yam and Ramat Gan (64%), Bnei Brak (63%), Haifa and Ashkelon (57%), Petah Tikva (55%), Ashdod (54%), and Jerusalem (40%). Among Jerusalem's Jewish residents, 58% expressed trust in the municipality, while 36% said they did not trust it.
Trust in the media was also found to be low, with only 39% saying the trust the press. Young people found to be less trusting of the media than older citizens: 35% among 20-44 year olds, compared to 45% among 45 and older.
Most of the Israeli population (85%) said they did not believe they could influence the government's policies, while 75% don't believe they can influence their municipality's policies.
Thirty-one percent felt discriminated against over the past year because of age, nationality, ethnicity (15% overall; 10% among Jews and 30% among non-Jews), religion (13% overall; 27% among Muslims, 19% among Christians, 20% among Druze, and 10% among Jews), gender, sexual orientation, or physical/mental disability.
Among Jews, the more religious they were, the more they felt discriminated against: 41% of ultra-Orthodox, 16% of Orthodox, 8% of traditional Jews and 5% of secularists.
Central Bureau of Statistics survey finds 70% of Ethiopian immigrants don't trust the police, while 58% trust the justice system; 85% do not believe they can influence the government's policies, while 31% felt discriminated against.
The Israeli public trusts the IDF more than any other state institution while political parties received the lowest level of public trust, according to a survey conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) last year and published on Sunday.
The survey found that most Israelis do not have trust in the government or the Knesset, but still trust in the Israel Police and the justice system. Most of them don't believe they could influence the government or local municipalities' policies, and a third felt discriminated against.
The IDF received the highest level of support from the public—82 percent. There was no difference between men and women, with 83% of men putting their trust in the military and 82% of women. Meanwhile, Jews had greater trust (93%) in the IDF than Arabs (32%), while college graduates (88%) trusted in the IDF more than the rest of the population (79%).
Orthodox Jews expressed more support in the IDF than ultra-Orthodox Jews—97% compared to 72%, respectively. Among traditional Jews, 96% trust the IDF and 94% do among secularists.
It also appeared trust in the IDF increased along with one's age: 52% of 20-44 year olds have great trust in the IDF, 63% of 45-64 year olds and 73% among those 65 and older.
Almost two-thirds of the public (60%) trust the State Comptroller, and here too the level of trust is higher among Jews (64%) than Arabs (41%).
Most of the public trust the justice system (58%), with once again a higher rate among Jews (60%) compared to Arabs (41%). Here too, the more observant one is, the less trust they had in the justice system: 22% of ultra-Orthodox, 46% of Orthodox, 61% of traditional Jews and 70% of secularists. The rate of respondents who said they "do not trust the justice system at all" among ultra-Orthodox was 47% compared to 18% of Orthodox and 7% of secularists.
Among new immigrants, the rate of trust in the justice system is smaller—53% among immigrants from the former Soviet Union (who came from 1990 onwards) and 43% among Ethiopian immigrants.
Meanwhile, over half of the public expressed trust in the CBS itself, with greater levels of trust among college graduates (62%) compared to those who aren't (51%).
70% of Ethiopian immigrants don't trust police
A little more than half of the public (53%) expressed their trust in the Israel Police. Jews (57%) were once again found to trust police more than Arabs (34%), and older people more than younger people. A high level of distrust of the police was found among Ethiopian immigrants, 70%, while immigrants from the former Soviet Union mostly do trust the police—60%, compared to 34% who don't.
Most of the Israeli population expressed distrust in the government, with only 40% expressing trust in it. Jews (42%) expressed more trust than Arabs (28%), while the Orthodox and traditional Jews expressed the most trust in the government, 60%, compared to 29% of ultra-Orthodox and 32% of secularists. Thirty-nine percent of ultra-Orthodox and 32% of secularists said they "don't trust the government at all," compared to 13% of Orthodox.
The Knesset received an even lower score, with only 38% of the public expressing trust in it, 40% among Jews and 25% among Arabs. When it comes to the individual political parties, only 22% of the public expressed trust in them, 24% among Jews and 15% among Arabs.
Trust in local municipalities was higher, with 61% of the population expressing trust in them. Among municipalities of over 100,000 residents, Be'er Sheva enjoys the most trust (75%) from its residents, followed by Netanya and Rishon Lezion (73%), Tel Aviv (71%), Rehovot (69%), Holon (68%), Bat Yam and Ramat Gan (64%), Bnei Brak (63%), Haifa and Ashkelon (57%), Petah Tikva (55%), Ashdod (54%), and Jerusalem (40%). Among Jerusalem's Jewish residents, 58% expressed trust in the municipality, while 36% said they did not trust it.
Trust in the media was also found to be low, with only 39% saying the trust the press. Young people found to be less trusting of the media than older citizens: 35% among 20-44 year olds, compared to 45% among 45 and older.
Most of the Israeli population (85%) said they did not believe they could influence the government's policies, while 75% don't believe they can influence their municipality's policies.
Thirty-one percent felt discriminated against over the past year because of age, nationality, ethnicity (15% overall; 10% among Jews and 30% among non-Jews), religion (13% overall; 27% among Muslims, 19% among Christians, 20% among Druze, and 10% among Jews), gender, sexual orientation, or physical/mental disability.
Among Jews, the more religious they were, the more they felt discriminated against: 41% of ultra-Orthodox, 16% of Orthodox, 8% of traditional Jews and 5% of secularists.
A documentary titled 'teaching to hate?' will be broadcasted on German mainstream network ZDF. The documentary aims to show how children are educated to kill, and makes comparisons between the Palestinian education systems and Israeli education systems.
An advertisement for a German television documentary which will deal with how children in the Palestinian Authority are taught to hate and kill has caused an uproar for claiming that Israeli children are also taught to hate and kill Palestinians.
The program will be aired on ZDF, a German television channel which is known for its anti-Israel slant.
The ad for the documentary, titled "teaching to hate?" asks the question "how do Israeli and Palestinian children learn to despise one another – and kill?"
The documentary makes the comparison between incitement to murder and hatred in Palestinian schools to the education and incitement to hatred which Israeli children alleged receive. This, despite the fact that the documentary clearly and explicitly proves that the education systems which spread incitement to kill and to hate is on the Palestinian side only.
While the documentary doesn't claim that the Israeli education system teaches children to kill Arabs, it does say that Arabs are presented in a negative light in Israeli textbooks. An example of this "racist education" against the Arab population is that the majority of Israeli students, when drawing a picture of an Arab, draw the Arab sitting on a camel.
Following a wave of protests directed at ZDF, the station pulled the anti-Israel ad and ran an apology ad, saying "the wording of the documentary has caused misunderstandings. If someone was hurt by the wording, we ask for their forgiveness."
Nevertheless, the uproar following the advertisement is continuing, especially in light of the station's anti-Israel line.
The German newspaper Bild asks "was this a mistake or intentional distortion of the facts with an anti-Semitic slant?"
Various research institutes have researched the content broadcasted on ZDF, and have found that it is consistently anti-Israel. The station avoided reporting on the murder of 13 year old Hallel Yaffe Ariel who was killed by a Palestinian terrorist in in her bed Kiryat Arba. The station did report on Palestinian injuries which occurred as a result of IDF operations following the girl's death however.
An advertisement for a German television documentary which will deal with how children in the Palestinian Authority are taught to hate and kill has caused an uproar for claiming that Israeli children are also taught to hate and kill Palestinians.
The program will be aired on ZDF, a German television channel which is known for its anti-Israel slant.
The ad for the documentary, titled "teaching to hate?" asks the question "how do Israeli and Palestinian children learn to despise one another – and kill?"
The documentary makes the comparison between incitement to murder and hatred in Palestinian schools to the education and incitement to hatred which Israeli children alleged receive. This, despite the fact that the documentary clearly and explicitly proves that the education systems which spread incitement to kill and to hate is on the Palestinian side only.
While the documentary doesn't claim that the Israeli education system teaches children to kill Arabs, it does say that Arabs are presented in a negative light in Israeli textbooks. An example of this "racist education" against the Arab population is that the majority of Israeli students, when drawing a picture of an Arab, draw the Arab sitting on a camel.
Following a wave of protests directed at ZDF, the station pulled the anti-Israel ad and ran an apology ad, saying "the wording of the documentary has caused misunderstandings. If someone was hurt by the wording, we ask for their forgiveness."
Nevertheless, the uproar following the advertisement is continuing, especially in light of the station's anti-Israel line.
The German newspaper Bild asks "was this a mistake or intentional distortion of the facts with an anti-Semitic slant?"
Various research institutes have researched the content broadcasted on ZDF, and have found that it is consistently anti-Israel. The station avoided reporting on the murder of 13 year old Hallel Yaffe Ariel who was killed by a Palestinian terrorist in in her bed Kiryat Arba. The station did report on Palestinian injuries which occurred as a result of IDF operations following the girl's death however.
After issuing a slew of racist epithets against Sephardim on his Facebook page, Gidi Orsher was suspended from his position on Army Radio. Orsher: 'Next time you have a heart attack, don't do the bypass operation. Instead, put a chicken foot on your head.'
Gidi Orsher, a film critic for Army Radio, is in hot water after posting a racist post against on his Facebook page, in which he claims that Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews reject integration and cling onto the past.
"From those who support Shas and (Finance Minister Moshe) Kahlon, all the way to those who are professional drivellers from the east; the next time you have a heart attack, don't do the bypass operation. Instead, put a chicken foot on your head. The next time you're hiding in a bomb shelter because rockets are falling on your heads, forget about Iron Dome, and instead start praying and wait for the matriarch Rachel to come protect you. The next time you're having trouble getting pregnant, avoid in-vitro at the hospital and go circle a holy man's tomb in the Galilee seven times," Orsher wrote.
He went on to say that "the next time you want to announce your festivities, get off the computer, ignore modern apps, and go back to writing on parchment and sending smoke signals and yelling (wait, you all already do that). The next time you sign a letter, you don’t need to add the 'Doctor' title, which you don't believe in, from the university you despise."
"The next time you insult Western culture, which brought about all progress and success here, the next time you call any dissenting opinion 'arrogance' or 'racism' in order to inflame emotions and try to win a few more political points, put a rabbit's foot or baby's foreskin on your head and hope for a miracle. And wait. And wait," Orsher's vitriol continued.
The post was quickly met with outrage. Culture Minister Miri Regev called for Orsher to be fired, saying that "I went to the commander of Army Radio and requested that he immediately fire Gidi Orsher following his racist comments against Sephardic people, against the Jewish religion and Jewish customs, and against an entire public to which he doesn't belong but believes that he can openly despise."
"Gidi Orsher is one of the people opening up the Jerusalem Film Festival on Thursday, " Regev's post continued. "There will be all types of elitists there who seek to tear themselves away from the nation and want to create an elitist culture for themselves, completely homogenous, patronizing and alienating others. Orsher proves that this patronizing culture is deeply rooted in the media and amongst the Left. However, in my opinion, he's nothing."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also criticized Orsher's post, saying his comments were "blatant smears," and deserve condemnation. "Someone with this type of dark and racist opinions doesn't deserve to be on public broadcasts in Israel," he said, continuing "we must work against these people who are trying to divide our country, and work together as a unified nation."
Orsher said in an interview that his statements were made as a result of anger that had been building up inside him for years. "It can't be that these people hold a hateful grudge against everything which we did herein the first years of the state. It can't be that they allow themselves to be so slanderous," he said.
He seemed genuinely surprised over the outrage his statements caused, saying he never had any of his posts cause such a reaction. He said he is also weighing the possibility of writing an apology or a clarification post.
Army Radio was quick to suspend Orsher from his position.
"There's no place for what he said, and we completely disapprove of (his statements). The station head spoke with him and expressed his contempt of the comments. As a public Israeli station, we will continue to work to promote the freedom of expression for the entirety of Israeli society," the station said.
Gidi Orsher, a film critic for Army Radio, is in hot water after posting a racist post against on his Facebook page, in which he claims that Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews reject integration and cling onto the past.
"From those who support Shas and (Finance Minister Moshe) Kahlon, all the way to those who are professional drivellers from the east; the next time you have a heart attack, don't do the bypass operation. Instead, put a chicken foot on your head. The next time you're hiding in a bomb shelter because rockets are falling on your heads, forget about Iron Dome, and instead start praying and wait for the matriarch Rachel to come protect you. The next time you're having trouble getting pregnant, avoid in-vitro at the hospital and go circle a holy man's tomb in the Galilee seven times," Orsher wrote.
He went on to say that "the next time you want to announce your festivities, get off the computer, ignore modern apps, and go back to writing on parchment and sending smoke signals and yelling (wait, you all already do that). The next time you sign a letter, you don’t need to add the 'Doctor' title, which you don't believe in, from the university you despise."
"The next time you insult Western culture, which brought about all progress and success here, the next time you call any dissenting opinion 'arrogance' or 'racism' in order to inflame emotions and try to win a few more political points, put a rabbit's foot or baby's foreskin on your head and hope for a miracle. And wait. And wait," Orsher's vitriol continued.
The post was quickly met with outrage. Culture Minister Miri Regev called for Orsher to be fired, saying that "I went to the commander of Army Radio and requested that he immediately fire Gidi Orsher following his racist comments against Sephardic people, against the Jewish religion and Jewish customs, and against an entire public to which he doesn't belong but believes that he can openly despise."
"Gidi Orsher is one of the people opening up the Jerusalem Film Festival on Thursday, " Regev's post continued. "There will be all types of elitists there who seek to tear themselves away from the nation and want to create an elitist culture for themselves, completely homogenous, patronizing and alienating others. Orsher proves that this patronizing culture is deeply rooted in the media and amongst the Left. However, in my opinion, he's nothing."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also criticized Orsher's post, saying his comments were "blatant smears," and deserve condemnation. "Someone with this type of dark and racist opinions doesn't deserve to be on public broadcasts in Israel," he said, continuing "we must work against these people who are trying to divide our country, and work together as a unified nation."
Orsher said in an interview that his statements were made as a result of anger that had been building up inside him for years. "It can't be that these people hold a hateful grudge against everything which we did herein the first years of the state. It can't be that they allow themselves to be so slanderous," he said.
He seemed genuinely surprised over the outrage his statements caused, saying he never had any of his posts cause such a reaction. He said he is also weighing the possibility of writing an apology or a clarification post.
Army Radio was quick to suspend Orsher from his position.
"There's no place for what he said, and we completely disapprove of (his statements). The station head spoke with him and expressed his contempt of the comments. As a public Israeli station, we will continue to work to promote the freedom of expression for the entirety of Israeli society," the station said.
7 july 2016
In an effort to offer more support to Holocaust survivors, the Claims Conference has managed to secure the promise of a substantial increase from the German government; out the sum total, NIS 450 million will be marked for survivors living in Israel, to be used throughout 2016.
In a substantial gain for Holocaust survivors the world over, the Claims Conference (short for the Conference on Jewish Material Claims against Germany) has managed to secure the approval of the German government to allocate $600 million for the home care of Holocaust survivors over the next three years.
The substantial increase in funding was reached during the organization's yearly negotiations with the German government. The agreement will include the allocation of $200 million during the years 2016 – 17, and $400 million during 2018, this in addition to the $1 billion that the Claims Conference had already secured from the German government in 2013.
“We commend the government of Germany for recognizing its continuing obligation to victims of the Holocaust, more than 70 years after liberation,” said former US ambassador to the European Union Stuart Eizenstat, who had headed the Claims Conference's negotiations team. “We have worked exhaustively to arrive at this agreement with the German government. Holocaust survivors, now in their final years, should know of our total commitment to trying to ensure they live in dignity, with the help they need.”
The Claims Conference currently provides home care for some 67,000 Holocaust survivors around the world. All in all, 121,000 survivors are listed as receiving care through 240 different organizations in 46 states. The new agreement will expand the assistance they receive to offer them further support. Out of the sum total to be marked for improving the well-being of Holocaust survivors, NIS 450 million will be transferred to Israel, which is due to affect the lives of the 30,000 survivors living in Israel today.
Related: America's giant Holocaust claims fraud - more than just a blip?
In a substantial gain for Holocaust survivors the world over, the Claims Conference (short for the Conference on Jewish Material Claims against Germany) has managed to secure the approval of the German government to allocate $600 million for the home care of Holocaust survivors over the next three years.
The substantial increase in funding was reached during the organization's yearly negotiations with the German government. The agreement will include the allocation of $200 million during the years 2016 – 17, and $400 million during 2018, this in addition to the $1 billion that the Claims Conference had already secured from the German government in 2013.
“We commend the government of Germany for recognizing its continuing obligation to victims of the Holocaust, more than 70 years after liberation,” said former US ambassador to the European Union Stuart Eizenstat, who had headed the Claims Conference's negotiations team. “We have worked exhaustively to arrive at this agreement with the German government. Holocaust survivors, now in their final years, should know of our total commitment to trying to ensure they live in dignity, with the help they need.”
The Claims Conference currently provides home care for some 67,000 Holocaust survivors around the world. All in all, 121,000 survivors are listed as receiving care through 240 different organizations in 46 states. The new agreement will expand the assistance they receive to offer them further support. Out of the sum total to be marked for improving the well-being of Holocaust survivors, NIS 450 million will be transferred to Israel, which is due to affect the lives of the 30,000 survivors living in Israel today.
Related: America's giant Holocaust claims fraud - more than just a blip?