Hebrew Newspaper: Jewish Ultra-Orthodox Extremists Threaten Existence of Israel

A Hebrew newspaper reveals that the major threat that jeopardizes Israel isn't Syria, Iran nor the Lebanese Hezbollah.

"Jerusalem Post," said that the main threat that imperils the future of Israel comes from inside not outside.

The Post went on to say that the Haredim, the extremist Jews pose a great source of hazard to the Hebrew state over the few years to come.

The newspaper stressed that the Haredim become a growing force in Israeli politics as they push aside a number of political parties such as the leftist parties of the Labor and Meretz.

It linked the rocketing influence of the Haredim to a number of factors as they aren't drafted into the army since the establishment of the Jewish state on May 15, 1945.

Religious teenagers are exempted from joining the army to study the Bible and Talmud.

On the other hand, the secular youths are conscripted to the military service at the age of 18.

Also, the Israeli governments offered generous grants to the Haridem despite they refuse to work at all but they from big-numbered families.

The extremist Jews resemble a time bomb to the Israeli political system.

However,  Israel is one of the few countries whose fundamental character is imperiled. But the main threat is no longer external: it is the internal schism between the Haredi minority—the Ultra-Orthodox—and the rest of society that has the greatest potential to change the country at its core.

The March 23 election could emerge as an inflection point because Haredi behavior during the coronavirus pandemic has underscored pisions, deepened mutual disdain, and convinced many Israelis things cannot continue as they are. There is a clamor for change.

Ex-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is secular, but he has always been fully dependent on the Haredim; without the support of several parties representing the community, he has never commanded a genuine Knesset majority.  If the nationalist-Haredi coalition is denied a majority on March 23, this could well mean change will come. Fierce opposition from the Haredim is likely, with unpredictable results.