Ya'alon to Haredi public: "condemn violence"

Defense Minister Moshe (Bogie) Ya'alon commented today (Thursday) on the issue of violence against Haredi soldiers who recruit to the army.

"Verbal and physical violence directed at enlisting religious soldiers, haredi soldiers and those who act to recruit them for military service - both from the Defense Ministry's social security and the army - is an intolerable phenomenon that requires decisive and resolute handling of the Israel Police and other law enforcement agencies," said Ya'alon.

"We can not put up with such phenomena" Ya'alon said, "One must stop and arrest the criminals who commit them and their constituents, even though this are marginal and extremist groups in the Haredi community, that are not characteristic of the whole."

The Defense Minister directs criticism towards the State of Israel - the police, the prosecutor's office, which until now did not arrest and punish the rioters, "against violence towards Haredi conscripts and those who act to recruit them to the IDF, it is Israel's obligation to act with zero tolerance."

In addition, although the Haredi Knesset members including rabbis who called in the past against violence, the Defense Minister calls to them too, saying: "I call on the heads and leaders of the Haredi community to condemn unacceptable phenomena such as those, and to throw out violent elements".

"The Defense Ministry opened in recent years the army's gates to young Haredi men, and their contribution to the security of Israel arrays of combat fighters and supporters is growing. Army integration also leads to their integration into the labor market and in Israeli society, without it being offensive to their lifestyle.

"We in the defense establishment and the IDF are careful to do this with sensitivity, moderation and tolerance. Without imposing and incitement, only by dialogue with the heads and leaders of the Haredi community and its young people, and this proves itself year after year."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!