Israel – A Knesset debate Wednesday on council tax exemptions for rooms adjoining synagogues that are used as study or events halls turned into a bizarre argument over Sephardi and Ashkenazi synagogue-going habits.
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Construction and Housing Minister Ariel Atias turned to Kadima MK Dalia Itzik, asking, “How is it that a Sephardi woman who goes to synagogue is working against this move?”
According to Kadima sources, the startled Itzik asked Atias exactly what he meant by the remark, to which the Shas minister responded, “Sephardim go to synagogues and Ashkenazim don’t.”
Construction and Housing Minister Ariel Atias.
Opposition leader Tzipi Livni then jumped in, saying, “My family and I are Ashkenazim and we certainly do go to synagogue.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Deputy Education Minister Meir Porush (UTJ) attacked Kadima for its opposition to the exemption, saying, “A believing person cannot be a Kadima member.”
Eventually, the exemption was approved in a preliminary reading by 60 MKs to 24.
Speaking to Army Radio after the session, Atias admitted having a confrontation with Itzik, but denied saying Ashkenazim don’t go to synagogue.
this whole knesset is one big joke. no wonder most of the world doesn’t recognize israel as a legitimate state.
Even a minister in Israel sometimes needs to grow up and stop being a child
If more women stayed home as they are supposed to then this would be a moot point.
What foolish politicians there are. Why do they think they represent Torah? Their Torah knowledge is stunted. They need to learn the Torah of Levi Yitzchak Berdichiv ZTZAL — to be Ohev Yisrael and to be dan l’chaf zechus.
I think it was the Chofetz Chaim that left tzevah that his daughters shouldn’t go to synagogue regularly for fear of the speaking/listening of lashon hora & fashion show that sometimes occurs, since they’re not obligated to daven with minyan.