Gantz to Haredim: ‘Whitewashing harm to minorities’ will harm ultra-Orthodox most

Outgoing Defense Minister Benny Gantz issues a public call to Haredi political parties to oppose elements of religious coercion and discrimination that are being hotly debated in coalition agreements.

“What you’re doing and supporting these days is to turn Israel from a Jewish state into a religious state,” says Gantz at a faction meeting of his Blue and White party in the Knesset. “From a Jewish state to a tribal state — and the result will harm Judaism, harm religion and harm the State of Israel as a whole.”

Gantz says that legislation allowing for discrimination and racism “will hurt you first of all… and will push you further away from the general population.” He adds that such moves could lead to “hotels only for secular people, workplaces announcing they won’t accept Haredim.”

When that happens, Gantz says, “remember that you were part of the constellation that whitewashed harm to minorities. That disintegrated us into tribes.”

“The price of religious coercion will be serious and severe,” Gantz adds.