Q&A: Haredim and the Right
Haredim and the Right
Question
In recent years the Haredim have gone only with the right. In addition, anyone who knows the community a bit knows that many of them have also become fans of Bibi. A lot of people told me—that is, longtime people in the Haredi community—that until about 30 years ago the Haredim were more left-wing and were not major supporters of the right. Do you think the Haredim are right-wing? Do you think they have changed in recent years?
Answer
The Haredi public also had a right-wing sentiment in the past, but back then the right and left did not interest them very much. It was the leadership that was not right-wing in the past (it wanted peace even if that would require paying a heavy price. If that is what is called leftist—then in my view, it is not). In my opinion, not much has changed today except that the public is more interested in questions of right and left, and so it is expressed more clearly. Their current leadership is in the same place. They go with the right because the right gives them money, legislation, and exemptions as they wish. In addition, there is a more traditionalist sentiment on the right, and that is also more comfortable for them. But this does not have the slightest connection to the right—not politically, not on security matters, and certainly not economically (economically they are far-left).