Haredim against Nehemia Shtrasler • Reason: said there's no hareidi doctor

Hareidim came out against economic commentator and author in Ha'aretz newspaper, Nehemia Shtrasler.

The rage Against Shtrasler reached a peak yesterday, after earlier this week he was interviewed in the program 'Do not ask' broadcasted in Keshet. Shai Stern, the program's host, personally hosted public figures, and during the program interviewed Nehemia Shtrasler who spoke, inter alia, on the integration of hareidim into the labor market and the IDF.

One of the sentences which got haredi viewers bouncing off was when Shtrasler Stern said: "You know that there's no hareidi doctor in Israel?"

Shai was amazed by the fact which Shtrasler stated - and answered the question: "One?"

Strasler continued, "Not even one, no." The commentator explained himself: "Why, because if you do not learn mathematics, physics, you do not have matriculation and don't have English, you can not study medicine."

In response, hareidim decided to protest against him. They launched to his cell phone device a message: "You stated a serious statement, that there is not even a single hareidi doctor in Israel. I'm inviting you on a tour of four hospitals in Jerusalem to attend a reality that you might not like. Discover orthodox professors and doctors, hareidi le'mehadrin, walking about in various wards. And I believe there are others in hospitals in the country.

"It is sad that a person like you is called a commentator and journalist in Israel, this is a shame to the press in Israel that there is a journalist for whom lying is the guiding light. Not just doctors, and I believe you know that there are now hundreds and even thousands of haredim who work in professions which are just as are considered.

"You choose to ignore the facts. I would be glad if you decide to look and see reality for yourself."

One of those who approached him, Shraga Neiman, was so shocked when he heard the words of the economic commentator, that he is considering to contact a lawyer to explore the possibility to sue the commentator. "More important is that he will apologize," said Neiman to Behadrey Haredim. "I spoke this morning with a hareidi professor who heads a department in Ein Kerem hospital. He was amazed by the words."

It should be noted that the vast majority of Israel's hareidi doctors are Ba'alei Tshuva.

Nehemia Shtrasler refused to comment. In a conversation with Behadrey Haredim he said: "I'm in a meeting, I have no time."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!