Kiryat Yovel, Israel – The director of the Kiryat Yovel Communal Administration Yechiel Levi has said that his strategy to force haredim to move out of the Jerusalem neighborhood was “to “strangle” the community.
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Levi’s comments were broadcast on Tuesday and evinced heavy criticism from President Reuven Rivlin, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and haredi political leaders.
Kiryat Yovel was for many years a secular community, but the rapid growth of the haredi population has led the community to find new neighborhoods in Jerusalem, one of which has been Kiryat Yovel.
The arrival of large numbers of haredi families has led to clashes within the neighborhood over available resources and infrastructure as well as cultural values, especially regarding Shabbat.
“One needs to strangle the haredi population so that they leave the neighborhood,” said Levi in an interview with Army Radio.
“When you strangle them, they leave, when you make it hard for them then they’re not so excited about living [here]. That’s the mechanism that works today.”
Levi was also asked why movie screenings on Shabbat for Kiryat Yovel residents were done in a center within the haredi area of the neighborhood, he answered “to demonstrate that we do not need to be concerned where to do it.”
Numerous public and political leaders expressed outrage at Levi’s comments, with even President Reuven Rivlin stepping in to denounce the community administration’s sentiments.
“A public servant must be committed [to serve] the entire public, not just one sector,” said Rivlin. “Levi’s comments saddened and angered me a great deal. Jerusalem, our capital city which brings together the four tribes of Israel, must not be turned into a battle front between its residents.”
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat also castigated Levy, and initially called upon the national organization of community centers to fire him.
“We cannot tolerate such serious and unacceptable comments from a public servant paid by the taxpayers through the municipality and Education Ministry,” he said.
However, later on Tuesday Barkat issued a statement to the center’s leadership noting that Levi profusely apologized for the comments, called for tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the neighborhood, and therefore should be allowed to remain in his position.
My Grandparents heard the same 70 years ago in Europe,
With regards to Israel, I’m not at all surprised, this is what the secular media/schools feed them 24/7, yes i do appreciate that a large chunk of Chareidimm have to be taught a lesson how to behave at least in public, but we don’t expect this in the so called Yiddishe Medinah, especially not from a public figure,,,
This man should be immediately fired his apology is worthless he is a bigot and a hater and as such he must go
Isn’t this what the chareidim to to the chilonim when thay take over a neighborhood? They make it very unpleasant by forcing tznius, shabbos, etc. on to the neighborhood.
To give the most publicized example, the case of “Safot Vetarbuyot” (“Language and Culture School”) in Beit Shemesh, a long-established secular school designed for “enrichment programs” not available anywhere else in the area. At the time in question it had about 150 students, when the “Ultra Orthodox” were given the building by the Ultra-Orthodox elected mayor and the 150 students kicked out. Such examples (less publicized) are numerous. Why would anyone welcome people who do that to children (and to adults as well)?
Is this the “yiddishe medinah” or is this Bejing?? Im confused. Its superbly ironically sad but yet not unexpected. These people are so unaffilliated to any authentic form of yiddishkeit. Theyre almost not to blame. With this being said it is the absolute duty for every chareidi person to behave and treat everyone honorablly too.
Zionism has made Yidden hate Shabbos.