Porush slams opposition over anti-chareidi incitement

Porush in the plenum: "We're not moved by your flattery" (Photo: Knesset Channel)

MK Meir Porush used his first speech in the 26th Knesset to confront opposition parties over what he called their hypocrisy toward the chareidi public and bnei Torah.

"Under the false headline of 'the draft issue,' you didn't shy away from any slander," Porush said from the plenum. "You stuck degrading labels on us, called us 'the draft-dodger alliance,' as if the alternative would be 19 MKs from the Arab parties who actually serve. You reached the lowest moral point of all: blaming an entire community, Torah students, for the blood and deaths of soldiers."

"And now, wonder of wonders: the moment the political map changes, everything flips overnight. Suddenly the editorials soften, the commentators change direction, and the newspapers that attacked us without mercy suddenly start flattering the chareidi public."

Porush continued his attack: "This is a disgrace and a shame! Don't walk in here with your faces uncovered. Cover your faces in shame for everything you did to us, and for the poisonous incitement you poured on us just days ago, when you thought everything was permitted and kosher for narrow political needs."

"From here, from the Knesset podium, at the opening of the new session, I want to deliver a clear and sharp message: We weren't moved by your incitement, and we're not moved by your flattery now. Torah students don't need validation from your editorials or your commentators. We will continue to stand guard and protect the holy world of Torah with all our strength and with pride, because the Torah is what protects us, our homes, and all of the Jewish people."

Earlier in the day, MK Porush submitted a request to the Knesset secretariat to establish "the Lobby for Torah Students," and simultaneously called on all 120 members of the 26th Knesset to join.

In a special letter distributed this morning to every Knesset member, Porush wrote that "Torah study is a foundational value in the heritage of the Jewish people since the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, every believing Jew agrees on this, in the Land of Israel and throughout the world. This consensus is expressed, among other things, in the 'Torah as his profession' arrangement, which began even before the establishment of the state."

Porush added that "despite the differences of opinion, which unfortunately intensified after the outbreak of war on Simchas Torah 5784, there is significant agreement among parts of the nation and apparently also in the political system about the vital need to protect Torah students whose Torah is their profession. In this spirit, the 25th Knesset also passed Basic Law: Torah Study, which enshrines the status of Torah study as a foundational value in the State of Israel."

"Despite this, to our great pain, tens of thousands of Torah students in the Land of Israel are dealing today with a harmful and severe reality, which surely pains anyone whose heart is warm toward Torah and its students," the letter states.

MK Porush calls on Knesset members to join and serve as members of the lobby, "if only out [because] you respect Torah students in the Land of Israel and oppose harming them."

Principles of "the Lobby for Torah Students":

1. Implementation of Basic Law: Torah Study, which states that "Torah study is a foundational value in the heritage of the Jewish people and in the State of Israel."

2. Regulation of the status of yeshiva students in the spirit of the historic "Torah as his profession" arrangement that was initiated by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion.

3. Fighting incitement and delegitimization against Torah students.

4. Recognition of the contribution of Torah students and their supporters to strengthening Jewish identity in the Land of Israel.

5. "Protecting Torah students whose 'Torah is their profession' (students who learn three sedarim a day)" (the Shkedi Committee, Iyar 5784, May 2024).