Disengagement opponents are trying every way possible to
thwart the plan from taking effect. They block roads,
organize demonstrations, hand out ribbons, stop cars, fill
intersections with signs and a long list of other activities
all aimed at swaying public opinion and influencing the
government to withdraw the plan.
But they have already abandoned parliamentary channels, i.e.
the Knesset, after trying to prevent the passage of the
Disengagement Plan and the Evacuation-Compensation Law,
trying to pass a referendum and even toying with hopes of
blocking the transfer of state funds in order to topple the
government. This week the settlers are trying their luck
again, hoping Netanyahu will back an unlikely law to postpone
the implementation of the Disengagement Plan.
Now the Knesset finds itself in an unheard-of situation.
Although the opposition's ostensive mission is to bring down
and replace the government, the majority of opposition
members are currently making every effort to keep it in power
— whether that entails voting against their conscience,
their view or their party platform — whatever it takes
to press forward with the Disengagement Plan.
Officially the opposition consists of 54 MKs, but at least 30
of them do not want to see the government fall. Could
anything be more absurd? Dozens of coalition members work
against the government and even submit no-confidence motions,
yet the Prime Minister can sleep soundly at night knowing he
has plenty of other MKs on his side.
Badge of Honor for Ravitz
The Knesset recently released a list of MKs late in
responding to questions directed at them, including
explanations for why they are so overdue. One of the few
names not on the list is that of Deputy Minister MK Rabbi
Avrohom Ravitz. Unlike his fellow ministers and deputy
ministers, since assuming his post three months ago Rabbi
Ravitz has not avoided having to provide answers to questions
that can be quite embarrassing.
Questions from the Knesset plenum often require the ministry
to take action to correct certain failures. Although Rabbi
Ravitz has only served as deputy minister for a short time,
on several occasions he has already provided answers
essentially saying, "The Ministry agrees the issue raised in
the question demands attention and we have already done so-
and-so and have improved or intend to improve in the
immediate future in such-and-such a way to rectify the
situation."
On the other hand Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has
accrued over 65 questions waiting for answers. In fact
Netanyahu has never really responded to any questions. After
all he's probably too busy hammering out various reforms and
programs — including programs to take from the poor and
give to the rich — to deal with such matters.
Far behind the Finance Ministry is the Ministry of Commerce
and Trade with 35 unanswered questions, the Ministry of
National Infrastructures with 15 unanswered questions, the
Ministry of Transportation, with 15 unanswered questions, the
Ministry of the Interior with 11 unanswered questions and the
Ministry of Internal Security with 10 unanswered
questions.
Cheat Sheet for Principals
Government offices are very strict and exacting over every
cent provided to the yeshivas and any other funding earmarked
for the chareidi sector. They conduct audits and inquiries
again and again, including surprise checks, to ensure nobody
is cheating them or lying to them or submitting deceitful or
inaccurate reports. On the other hand at a recent meeting of
the Knesset Education Committee to discuss supplemental
funding for Jewish studies it turned out there are those who
submit official, orderly documentation to openly cheat the
Education Ministry while the media of course remains
silent.
An organization identified with the Conservative Movement
called Panim Lehitchadshut Yehudit instructs schools
associated with their heretical program on how to receive
Supplementary Jewish Studies Funding intended to reconnect
Israeli youth to its Jewish roots by providing them at least
rudimentary knowledge of Judaism, Jewish holidays and Jewish
heritage.
In an official document sent to schools Panim Lehitchadshut
Yehudit explains, "In order to receive Supplemental Jewish
Studies Funding we recommend giving a portion of the courses
new names suited to Education Ministry criteria. We do not
recommend changing the contents, but only the names on the
course schedules in a way that accords with Education
Ministry criteria."
And if the principal does not know how to go about
implementing this fabulous idea, the organization provides
detailed suggestions, such as renaming a history course
"Jewish History," renaming an education course "Education for
Jewish Values" or renaming a Land of Israel course "The Land
of the Tanach."
What could be easier?
