Harsh criticism was lodged against Israel's court system and other secular institutions for ethnic discrimination against Sephardim as these same institutions openly incite and discriminate against the chareidi public. This point was made during the weekly United Torah Judaism meeting, held Monday at the protest tents pitched outside the gates of Maasiyahu Prison in Ramle, where 35 fathers — both Ashkenazim and Sephardim — are being held after the High Court sentenced them to two weeks behind bars for their insistence on educating their daughters in keeping with tradition and the guidance of their rabbonim.
During the course of the meeting, UTJ representatives voiced their objections to the High Court decision as well as its conduct throughout the proceedings. They also denounced attempts to silence them in the Knesset.
UTJ members stated that it operates according to daas Torah and directives from gedolei Yisroel — and no other entity. They also pointed out that the faction opposes all instances of racism and discrimination, saying that in the case of Emmanuel ethnic discrimination was not involved.
Words of praise were heard at the meeting for the hundreds of thousands of chareidim who united at the demonstrations in support of the Emmanuel parents, which took place peacefully.
The UTJ representatives went on to protest against the High Court for intervening in an ethical issue related to the mantel of authority in Am Yisroel, a matter of utmost significance, particularly for observant Jews who adhere to the commandment of "ve'osiso es kol asher yorucho," noting that no government, Knesset or court has ever interfered in such a blatant manner.
The faction concluded by calling on the government to step in immediately to seek a solution to the incarceration of the Emmanuel parents.
