A Sign of the Times

If such a pre-election poster were to appear anywhere in the Western world, its sponsors would face immediate arrest and prosecution on charges of racism. Newspaper editorials would denounce it, politicians would condemn it, and masses of citizens would be outraged.

And yet such a billboard did appear in a country that is dear to all of us, that prides itself on being open-minded and tolerant, and constantly emphasizes its democratic values: Israel. The billboard, on highways and on buses, is sponsored by secularist parties and referred to Jerusalem’s forthcoming municipal elections. It reads: “Jerusalem, Israeli or Chareidi?”

I was stunned when I saw this poster in a public place. The implications were clear.

1) Chareidim — one million citizens — are not Israelis.

2) Chareidim are to be feared for many reasons, such as religious coercion.