Study Torah with other things? Unforgivable: Haredi MK attacks Religious Zionism - and the responses

MK Uri Maklev (United Torah Judaism) harshly attacked Religious Zionism, saying that those who claim it is possible to combine Torah study with military service "will not be forgiven." His remarks were made at a meeting with yeshiva students at a summer camp. Maklev also sharply criticized the High Court of Justice, calling it "a bunch of charlatans in a judicial dictatorship." In response, Givat Shmuel Mayor Yossi Brodny and MK Michal Woldiger reacted sharply. The statements come amid the controversy over Haredi conscription and the law to prevent arrests of deserters that was frozen by the High Court.

MK Uri Maklev, chairman of the United Torah Judaism faction, harshly attacked Religious Zionism during a meeting with yeshiva students at a summer camp marking the "between the sessions" break. Maklev said that those who claim it is possible to combine Torah study with military service "will not be forgiven," adding that "the right to study Torah is our right to exist, and we do not put other things alongside it." He referred to the legislation of the Basic Law: Torah Study and said that recognition of the importance of study is growing, but warned of the "great damage" of integration. Maklev also attacked the High Court of Justice in harsh words: "We do not work for the High Court... a bunch of charlatans who have taken over the laws in a judicial dictatorship." In response, Yossi Brodny, mayor of Givat Shmuel, said: "If integration is a sin - we will continue to sin." MK Michal Woldiger wrote: "I ask to apologize to MK Maklev for the fact that Religious Zionism holds up a mirror to him that proves that one can both study Torah and serve." The statements come amid the controversy over Haredi conscription, after Rabbi Dov Lando called religious soldiers "inciters to murder," and against the backdrop of the freezing of the law to prevent arrests of deserters by the High Court.