MK Asher slams Smotrich over attack on Rav Lando, chareidi public

United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yaakov Asher responded sharply to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's remarks against Rav Dov Lando shlita and the chareidi public.

"There are people who think they can break us apart and make us crumble. Let them come see everyone who is here, men, women and children," Asher said at the opening of the community fundraising headquarters in Beitar Illit.

"I want to see Smotrich, who today opened his mouth against our upright public and against a gadol of Israel," Asher continued. "You don't know how to bring together people like these. You needed Feiglin just to pass the threshold. That's your rabbi, bring him back in teshuvah first."

The remarks came after Smotrich launched sharp attacks against the chareidi public at an Arutz Sheva election event and at a gathering in Ofra, directing harsh criticism at Rav Lando shlita and leveling serious accusations against the Torah world.

During the Arutz Sheva conversation, Smotrich was asked why he chose not to respond publicly to criticism that Rav Lando had directed at him. The minister initially attempted to frame his answer in terms of respect, but quickly shifted to a particularly offensive statement.

"Let there not be, chas v'chalilah, silence as agreement, because 'be careful with their coals,'" the minister began. "If I thought it would help to respond, I don't respond to a talmid chacham." But immediately after, he added: "By the way, it pains me, and I pray to Hashem that He should return him in teshuvah as well, but one shouldn't respond."

The harsh statement drew sharp condemnations from across the chareidi public.