Dozens of copies of a booklet calling on ultra-Orthodox Jews to emigrate from Israel were handed out last week near the main synagogue in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighborhood, on the backdrop of the battle between Israel's haredi and secular publics over the attempt to draft yeshiva students to the Israel Defense Forces and introduce core subjects into haredi schools' curriculum.

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Although the booklet was written about 15 years ago by Rabbi Moshe Dov Beck of the extreme Eda Haredit faction, it was handed out once again this week in light of the haredi draft issue, which has reached the High Court of Justice.

The 50-page publication cites passages from the Holy Scriptures as proof of the obligation to "escape from under the Zionist regime and not go in to visit there."

The claim is based on the haredi perception which sees the establishment of the State as a revolt against God and the world's nations, which citizens will be punished for. Another reason for the grave punishment is that many in the country fail to observe mitzvot.





Haredi children protest IDF draft (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

Beck also blasts what he refers to as the "hypocrisy" of extreme haredi factions, which protest against the State's authorities which they do not recognize, yet request permission to protest from the police and authorities.

He further writes that contrary to the common assumption, the radical factions do not believe in the possibility of living in peace with the Palestinians.

"When we investigate the spirit of rebellion and the use of weapons against the Palestinians, which is the essence of Zionism, have we heard a voice of protest against it?" he asks.

"And if we do hear a little from some of the protestors, they are the same ones who want to stone them and swallow them alive, and the vast majority of those who don't participate in the elections – they believe that we must deal with the Palestinians with an iron fist and not surrender to the nations."