Orthodox in Israel warn of revolt because of decisions on religion

JERUSALEM, Feb. 9 (JTA) — Fervently Orthodox leaders in Israel have lashed out at the Supreme Court for issuing a series of rulings they feel undermine their way of life. Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, the leaders warned of a “revolt” by the haredi, or fervently Orthodox community, if what they perceive as anti-religious court decisions continue. Former Knesset member Moshe Gafni of the United Torah Judaism bloc criticized Chief Justice Aharon Barak for his “judicial dictatorship.” He accused Barak of issuing rulings that systematically “threaten our existence.” Rabbi Meir Porush, head of the Agudat Yisrael Party, said the court rulings contravene “our very Jewishness.” The haredi leaders were reacting to a string of recent high court decisions, including an order to allow Conservative and Reform representatives to serve on local religious councils. That ruling prompted a number of haredi leaders to issue decrees that any high court ruling which runs counter to Orthodox religious law be ignored. The haredi leaders also were stung by a court ruling that canceled a decades-old arrangement under which yeshiva students are entitled to army draft exemptions and a separate decision allowing a kibbutz to maintain business operations on the Sabbath. In the wake of the news conference, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Supreme Court and its justices should be respected because they serve as the guarantors of the rule of law. Netanyahu added that he was attempting to defuse tensions between the court and the haredim, saying it could only be done through dialogue. Meanwhile, legislator Ran Cohen, a member of the secularist Meretz Party, termed the haredi leaders’ remarks incitement and called on the attorney general to open an investigation.