Jerusalem Post Israeli News Israeli Politics
Likud MK portrayed as haredi by Likud lobby group
Zohar introduced legislation that would increase the current restrictions on businesses operating on Shabbat and would also expropriate the right to grant exemptions from local authorities.
By JEREMY SHARON
Published: DECEMBER 7, 2015 17:38
Updated: DECEMBER 8, 2015 03:54
MK Miki Zohar dressed in haredi atire
(photo credit: FACEBOOK)
The "New Likudniks," a lobby group within the Likud party, has taken aim at Likud MK Miki Zohar, portraying him wearing a hassidic shtreimel and long side-curls following legislation he proposed that would further limit commercial and business activity on Shabbat.
Zohar's legislation would increase the current restrictions on businesses operating on Shabbat and transfer the right to grant exemptions from local authorities to the Interior Ministry.
"We are the chosen people, and for anyone who forgot, we were chosen by God, for whom Shabbat is important," Zohar explained in his bill.
A vote on the bill in the Ministerial Committee for Legislation was postponed on Sunday, however, due to the objections of the Kulanu party against the proposed law. Kulanu MK Rachel Azaria says she is not in favor of commercial activity on Shabbat, but argued that if commercial activity is to be further restricted, the status of cultural and leisure activities on Shabbat, which is frequently attacked by haredi and conservative national-religious elements, should be strengthened in parallel.
The "New Likudniks" group objected vehemently to the legislation, posting the digitally altered picture of Zohar on its Facebook on Sunday morning, along with a litany of complaints the group has against him.
"It's possible that we were chosen by God, but Miki Zohar was chosen by Likud members," the group's Facebook post read.
"If you prefer to see MKs in the elected house that work at the command of their voters and not at the command of God, join the Likud and help us populate its electoral list with democrats and liberals, for whom the good of the citizens and their rights are foremost in their mind."
The words "Working to protect individual rights and fighting against religious legislation," were written across the picture of Zohar.
In response, the Likud Haredi Panel, another internal Likud party lobbying group, denounced the post as incitement.
"How can it be that the image of a haredi Jew can be used to for disgracing and mocking?" the group asked.
"Especially during Hanukka, that which unites should overcome that which divides."
The New Likudniks later posted a clarification saying that it had not intended to offend the haredi community, but rather to point out that Zohar is "advancing anti-liberal legislation that represents the agenda of the haredi parties and not our party."