A new government has not yet been established in Israel. If to judge by the volume of headlines emitting from the chambers of negotiations, it appears that this will yet take some time. The debates keep on going, each facet of the coalition pulling in its own favor.
We have no intention here to worm our way into the inner negotiations and their many aspects but whoever attempts to keep track of the goings on, cannot help noting the extensive hypocrisy and incitement suffusing the discussions.
"In contrast to what took place in the previous government which was determined to harm the chareidi public, and did indeed, succeed, this upcoming government does not want to hurt any sector," were the worlds of MK Rabbi Uri Maklev to a Yated interviewer.
"The same goes to those who voted against us. They will maintain their present status.
He clarifies the necessary changes which this government hopes to introduce. "What will happen is that a sector which was challenged and discriminated against for the past year and a half, will receive its just due.
"There is another difference: As opposed to the previous government which persecuted and hounded all of its own, with the ministers of Treasury, Transportation, Communications, together with Religious Services, inciting and victimizing us nonstop, in this upcoming government, the provocation will not come from within the government."
When Rabbi Maklev talks about the need for improvement, he is referring to a list of issues through which the previous government trampled upon the rights of the chareidi public. For example: the budget for yeshivos and religious education. "'The previous government gnawed away and chipped chunkfuls without offering a minimal restitution or equality vis a vis the budget of general education and academic studies."
