Bennett’s call to limit ultra-Orthodox political influence angers Haredim

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, speaking at the Jerusalem Post conference earlier today, called for curbs on ultra-Orthodox political influence. The comment angers Haredi lawmakers.

“I wouldn’t want an Israel without Haredim, but we must limit political sway,” says Bennett.

In response, the opposition United Torah Judaism’s Yaakov Litzman says: “When he needed ‘Haredi influence,’ he knew how to beg for it.”

Shas leader Aryeh Deri tweets: “An illegitimate prime minister with six seats, who is barely scratching the electoral threshold in all the polls and represents only himself, wants to limit the influence of Haredim who represent a million people.”

He’s referring to Bennett being appointed prime minister of the diverse coalition, despite his Yamina party only winning 7, one of which defected, of the 120 Knesset seats.

“Bennett, every fraud has an end. The day will come in which a government that represents the will of the people will rise, including the Haredi community that received 16 seats in the last election,” says Deri.

— with Lazar Berman