Shocking testimony about a Zoglobeck factory worker who was
fired for not submitting to demands of the company director
to participate in Scientology cult seminars was heard on 9
Tammuz at a special meeting of the Knesset Labor and Welfare
Committee.
Committee deliberations were held as a result of Rabbi Meir
Porush's urgent request to place the issue of the Scientology
seminars on the Committee agenda. He stressed that the
information which Lev L'Achim's Anti-Cult Department had
divulged to the media must be presented at the committee
meeting.
The meeting was chaired by Committee Deputy Chairman MK Rabbi
Yaakov Litzman. Lev L'Achim director Rabbi Eliezer Sorotzkin,
as well as the coordinator of its Anti-Cult and Anti-
Missionary Department Rabbi Zev Steiglitz, were invited to
attend the meeting. Representatives of the Scientology cult
and Zoglobeck were also in attendance.
MK Rabbi Meir Porush presented startling information about
this cult's activities in Israel and worldwide, noting the
dangers posed by this cult which has caused many countries
throughout the world to outlaw Scientology activity.
The shocking testimony of a former company employee who was
brought to the meeting by Lev L'Achim was then heard. The
employee described the pressures exerted on company workers
to participate in Scientology activities.
MKs Gal'on from Meretz and Paritzki from Shinui attacked the
worker and Lev L'Achim, defending the Scientology
representatives who claimed that they are a "religion" and
not a "cult," a claim which aroused snickers. Company
representatives who found it difficult to counter the claims
of the fired worker could only utter abuse towards him
personally, degrading and belittling him. They disregarded
the names of additional workers who had been fired, whose
cases were presented to the Committee.
In order to enable the appearance of additional employees
before the committee, Rabbi Yaakov Litzman decided to
continue the deliberation the following week.
Lev L'Achim representatives asked members of the Committee to
call an immediate halt to this dangerous, illegal activity.
They denounced various elements who are trying to help the
company silence public criticism while denying the continual
efforts of members of the company's administration to
persuade and force workers to join the activity of the cult,
taking advantage of employer authority. In their statement,
Lev L'Achim expressed shock over the "statement of opinion"
issued by various prejudiced parties for the purpose of
approving the company's activity: parties who know nothing
about Scientology or understand its tremendous dangers.
The fact that rabbonim and gedolei Yisroel have issued
halachic rulings calling Scientology avoda
zorah was confirmed at the Committee meeting by
representatives of the Scientology cult. They complained that
they are called a "cult" instead of a "religion." This wish
to be labeled a religion is also expressed in their
publications, where they call themselves, "the Scientology
Church," and, "the new religion." In addition, one of the
official Scientology symbols is the cross.
Lev L'Achim's administration has said that it will continue
the public battle to call an immediate halt to this dangerous
activity in the Zoglobeck meat company. It will continue to
help factory workers to ward off attempts to divert them from
their religion.
