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MK Rabbi Eichler: Beit Shemesh Residents Cannot Deprive Chareidim
of Housing Rights
By Eliezer Rauchberger
"Never has a political figure or a representative of a certain segment
of the population had the audacity to use Knesset committees as a
platform against allowing Russians, Ethiopians or Arabs from living in
certain neighborhoods in Israeli cities," MK Rabbi Yisroel Eichler
said during a meeting of the Knesset Finance Committee to review
complaints by secular Beit Shemesh residents against the influx of
chareidim in the city.
"Everyone is quick to defend the rights of secular individuals or
artists to purchase apartments anywhere in the country. Only when it
comes to chareidim is the Knesset summoned upon to apply restrictions
and prevent them from living where they please."
"The general public is also welcome to organize and form neighborhoods
in Beit Shemesh, because there is room for all," he added. "The Mayor
is also amenable to this. But nobody has the right to deprive
chareidim of the right to organize and purchase land and housing in
Beit Shemesh.
"What right does a handful of raucous people, long-term Beit Shemesh
residents, have to come along and demand that chareidim be deprived of
their rights in Ramat Beit Shemesh? This is an instance of local
politics trying to create bad blood between the public and the
chareidim. We cannot allow them to spark hatred among Jews. All of the
forces of peace should unite to act for the sake of all of the sectors
and residents of Beit Shemesh by neutralizing extremists that fan the
flames of animosity in Beit Shemesh."
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