| Tuesday, December 13, 2016 5

HAARETZ Yael Hashiloni-Dolev What do you think Editor: Benn you're doing? Dare to teach English Edition Editor: Noa Landau Managing Editor: Simon Spungin t was only a matter of concept “academic freedom.” Deputy Publisher: Guy Rolnik time before Education There are questions that Managing Director, Haaretz Group Minister I doubt most advanced stu- Rami Guez I (Habayit Hayehudi) began dents, even in the social Managing Director, English Edition a new round of silencing, sciences and humanities, Aviva Bronstein threats and scare-monger- are capable of answering ing, this time in higher edu- satisfactorily: Why should Haaretz Daily Newspaper Ltd. cation. The new initiative, academics have the freedom 21 Schocken St., 61350 . to determine rules for the to express an opinion (as op- Tel: 03-5121212 Fax: 03-6810012 statements made in class posed to judges or military Customer Service Tel: 03-5121750 Fax: 03-5121703 by professors, is another personnel, for example); what E-mail: [email protected]. Advertising: 03-5121774, 03-5121112 Letters to the editor: [email protected] or fax: 03-5121156 reflection of the logic that is the significance of the tra- rules today in the corridors dition that academic institu- of power, which maintains tions receive independence that there is no room for in managing their affairs; and critical thinking, or God why is it important to finance forbid for the search for the study and research of ba- truth, since anyone who sic science, which by defini- doesn’t align himself with tion “doesn’t pay.” the government is marked But that’s precisely the The modesty as a “traitor.” thing that academics can This evil spirit should dis- change, without getting upset Amos Biderman | [email protected] turb everyone in academe, by some government or other, police for which disagreement and by dint of the independence of debate are the motivating academic institutions. Just as force, and where the search students were once required Shaked Hasson was delayed for about an hour on Sun- Nehemia Shtrasler for truth is shared by all its to participate in physical edu- day morning at the entrance to the , because the members, regardless of po- cation lessons, every student guards claimed her dress was too short and “immodest,” litical viewpoint. Therefore should be required to take at and thereby violated the Knesset’s dress code. Hasson, a the present debate mustn’t least one course in civics or parliamentary aide to MK (), be painted inside academe in democracy or critical think- said five different guards examined her dress and de- Moshe Kahlon, our very own Santa shades of right and left, or be ing or skepticism or criticism clared it inappropriate. The dress in question came to a turned into another populist or any similar subject. little above the knee, and she was wearing tights under it. struggle against the elites, a Opponents of the idea will She was allowed to enter only after Michaeli intervened ith Christmas ap- police determined whether difficult and unpopular re- either, while he sets a 26.5 la Culture and Sports Minis- say that there is no need for (Haaretz, December 12). proaching, chil- the blazes were in fact a hos- forms, which will send the percent duty on imports of ter Miri Regev (). that, because after all, every Since Hasson’s story was published, Haaretz has learned W dren all around tile act. Kahlon even ordered economy racing forward. sheet glass from Turkey, Politics can be found in academic course teaches that this wasn’t a one-time event. Last Wednesday, Moria the world are waiting for insurance assessors to be The budget does not deal with which will raise its price — every academic field: in the skepticism. But even if that’s Silfen, a parliamentary aide and spokeswoman for MK Eli Santa Claus to arrive with generous in assessing the the lifetime tenure and union and housing prices too. study of evolution, in feminist true, it’s not enough. Students Alalouf (), wasn’t allowed to enter the Knesset because his bag of gifts and dis- damages. It is impossible to control of employees in the In any case, this “I have theory, in the study of neolib- need a course that will spell the guards claimed her dress was also too short. tribute the goodies. We in compete with such goodness. public sector. more than enough” policy is eral economics and in studies out these things, that will Silfen waited at the entrance for about 40 minutes, during Israel have our own Santa Last week, Kahlon took The budget does not dangerous. The budget ag- of planet Earth. U.S. Presi- present contradictory opin- which time two Knesset guards examined her dress. They sug- Claus: Finance Minister pride in another gift: “When sharply cut bureaucracy gregates also reveal a wor- dent-elect is ions and make it possible to gested that she put on pants, which she said “were lying there,” Moshe Kahlon, who loves to our children reach age 18, and excessive regulation. It rying picture. The present a frightening example of a process them in an intelligent in order to enter. When she refused, she was forced to go home give to everyone. they will receive a gift from does not include a decision to law allows increasing expen- man who disdains the scien- manner. and change. Silfen said the commander of the Knesset guards He has a quick finger on the state, a savings account raise the retirement age for ditures in 2017 by 9 billion tific conclusions about global Those in agreement, the later called and asked her “not to cause them such grief again.” the financial trigger, and with 18,000 shekels.” Since shekels, but in practice this warming. Anyone to whom ones who are hiding behind The dress code to which the guards attributed their behav- when he is asked about this when does the finance min- increase will reach 17 billion truth is dear understands that practical arguments, will ior was issued about a month ago by the Knesset’s director excessive budgetary spend- ister take pride in increasing shekels! This is an unprece- someone who wants to forbid probably say that there isn’t general, Albert Saharovich. It says, among other things, that ing, he answers: “There is spending? Like and dented deviation, which will discussion of the occupation enough time in the academic people shouldn’t enter the Knesset “in inappropriate clothing, money.” And if he is pushed, A look at the 2017-2018 inflate the public sector even today, tomorrow will forbid schedule. There is material such as ... short skirts or dresses, clogs, etc.” This begs the he responds that he does not two-year budget, which is Greece, Kahlon more in terms of budgets and the study of the scientific the- that’s important to teach, the question: Who decides what length is appropriate for a dress want “to be stingy and say ‘I now under discussion in the believes he manpower. This is what is ory about the origin of man, students have to be prepared or skirt? The Knesset guards? The Knesset’s director gener- don’t have anything’ just in Knesset, reveals a complex happening to the budget defi- or anything else that doesn’t for the job market, and there- al? Knesset Speaker , who is responsible for the order to preserve the ‘safety picture. On the one hand, it can exceed the cit too, which was supposed to accord with the interests of in- fore there is no room left for Knesset’s administration? cushion.’” A good example of contains a number of reforms framework for be only 2.5 percent, but was dustry and the wealthy. Have general courses. The Knesset spokesman’s response – that the director gen- this “I have” money policy is which will improve our qual- offhandedly raised to 2.9 per- we mentioned the “post-truth But academic quality is ac- eral had clarified the rules so that, from now on, only female the Kahlon handled the re- ity of life in such areas as spending without cent— a double helping of ir- era”? tually measured by an order guards would be allowed to examine another woman’s clothing cent wave of fires. He rushed bank credit, communica- paying a price. responsibility. Fortunately we, the mem- of priorities that isn’t entirely – is insufficient. It doesn’t matter who is sent to enforce this to announce he would pay ev- tions , food imports, gas for Kahlon believes he can bers of academe, have a very practical, and by choosing edict or what gender they are. The humiliations suffered by eryone. “Ninety five percent homes and investments in exceed the framework for important tool with which to to prepare students who, in Hasson and Silfen, like some of the requirements of the dress of those harmed will be rec- transportation in the form women. It does not deal with spending and for the deficit fight this evil spirit, perhaps addition to being profession- code itself, reflect another attempt to undermine women’s ognized as victims of ‘hostile of “private financial initia- the scandalous state-funded without paying a price. This the most important one of all: als, will be thinking, ethical freedom under the cloak of “modesty” or “offending people’s actions,’ [entitling them to tives.” But most of these steps pensions, or the military’s is exactly what the finance Enlightenment and education people and good citizens in sensibilities.” state compensation for dam- are small and only partial. bridging pensions. It does not ministers of Greece and are tools that are still at our a democratic society. This is This trend, which is also reflected in efforts to ban wom- ages] and those who are not But in order to really curb dismantle the Israel Electric Spain believed, until the great disposal, and for some reason the time to dare to teach, and en from singing in public and keeping them from serving — we will find a special ar- the high cost of living Kahlon Corporation’s monopoly and crisis arrived. The fact that we tend to neglect them. as soon as possible. We can in the army in the name of “modesty,” is part of a broader rangement for them.” needs to do something com- does not reinstitute the so- economic growth now stands Every year, students ask start tomorrow morning by process of religionizing the public space and chauvinistic The insurance companies pletely different: To present called “work− for− welfare at 3 percent and not 5 percent me why I teach a theory and interrupting the academic coercion. When claims of “offending people’s sensibilities” were laughing themselves to one large plan to open up the Wisconsin plan.” The rela- is part of the price, too. immediately afterwards criti- schedule for an hour, during are raised, they always refer to religious sensibilities. No- death. It’s so wonderful they economy to imports, one that tions with the chairman of Kahlon must understand: cize it, and how I can present which everyone will learn a body thinks about the sensibilities of these parliamentary have a finance minister who removes all customs duties the labor federa- A good finance minister is viewpoints that I obviously lesson devoted to a complex aides or other women, who must undergo humiliating ritu- is so good, who takes it upon on food and adopts interna- tion, Avi Nissenkorn, and the a “bad” finance minister — don’t identify with. These are and critical discussion of the als like these at the entrance to the Knesset. himself to pay a billion shek- tional standards. This is the desire to avoid a confronta- in other words, one that car- questions that represent the concept of academic freedom. The Knesset guards should stick to doing their job – els in compensation to fire only way in which we will see tion with powerful interest ries out unpopular reforms profound lack of understand- Prof. Hashiloni-Dolev which is to maintain the building’s security and order – victims, leaving the insur- a real drop in prices and the groups are more important and also guards the public ing of most students about teaches at the School of instead of serving as a modesty police. Attempts to make ance companies with only a cost of living. to Kahlon than any reforms. coffers. The finance minis- an open discussion and the Government and Society at women disappear from public spaces, or cover up when few tens of millions to pay. At the same time, the gov- Kahlon cannot take pride ter must not compete with importance of debate, not to the Academic College of Tel they enter them, must stop. And all that even before the ernment budget is missing in lowering the cost of living Santa Claus. mention the meaning of the Aviv-Yaf fo.

Ariana Melamed Elad Nehorai Apartheid plaza ‘America’s rabbi’ and the white nationalist

n recent years I have look and their customs. tyranny. he easiest way to get Boteach wanted all his how the Obama administra- vote? With who we are willing This is an inside-out, bi- become part of a perse- Now it turns out that that But what connection is my kids to behave Jewish followers to know tion has handled Israel. to take a selfie with? zarro world, funhouse mirror, I cuted religious minor- won’t happen. The draft bill there between the initiators T would be to beat them. something, though. On his But that is, in fact, what Unfortunately, it seems morality. An “ends justify the ity. As a Reform Jew and an “to maintain the sanctity of of this bill and basic democ- Making money would be so account, along with was so sickening when seeing that the world in general, not means” way of dealing with Israeli citizen, I’ve become the Western Wall and its pla- racy? and UTJ have al- much more convenient if I the picture of him and Ban- Boteach’s picture, and see- just the Jewish world, not just reality. It is the most superfi- accustomed to the fact that za,” which is now being pro- ways excluded their female stole it. I could get a lot more non, he wrote: “Steve Bannon ing his pathetic defense of it Boteach, is collectively letting cial way of going about life. It my country doesn’t recog- moted by Shas, United Torah electorate from political rep- people to do what I wanted has shown great support for on CNN. What Boteach cared go of our concern of the how. is the idolatry that the Second nize my right to marry, to Judaism, Habayit Hayehudi resentation. Now, by means of them to do if I lied to them. So Israel & this administration about was one thing: Israel. Of our concern of what really Commandment implores us divorce and to be buried and MK Oren Hazan (Likud) the power that the present co- why don’t I? Why don’t most promises to be very strong Supporting Israel. He did not matters. We want to win elec- to reject, the idea that some- as I wish, discriminates — a spiritual authority unto alition enables them to wield, of us do these things? for the Jewish state.” care about how he supported tions, even if the most lowly thing physical can in any way against those who belong to himself — will turn me and they simply want to exclude It seems that most of us be- Of course, not a word about Israel. He did not care about man on earth is our standard lead to helping you achieve my religious denomination those like me into a criminal. every Jewish woman, whoev- lieve that how we get the re- Bannon’s rag. Not a word what the cost would be. He bearer. We want to support Is- your ends. It is the opposite of when it comes to budget- If God forbid I open a To- er she is, and to deny her free- sults we want matters just as about whether it matters was perfectly willing to call rael, even if it means selling faith, the exercise that tells us ing and religious services, rah scroll in the prayer area dom of worship. The Kotel is much as getting those results. that Bannon may be a dan- the alt-right “deplorable” and our souls. We want to have our that if you live your life in the and in general would prefer of the Kotel, which will be probably only the beginning, Maybe more. In other words, ger to Muslims or to minori- yet ally himself with its big- voices heard, even if it means right and true way, the results that I disappear. “any area to be determined in and its plaza will give rise to I’d rather make a lot less mon- ties. What mattered was one gest champion. Muslims, minorities and oth- will be for the best, even if it Its present rulers, the the future by the religious af- the halakhic state (based on ey legally than steal a lot of it. thing: Whether Bannon and seems hard to see in the mo- ultra-Orthodox parties in fairs minister,” I can expect Jewish religious law) that I’d be okay with not getting the Trump administration ment. the coalition, see me as an six months in prison, even be- these parties hope for. people to listen to me even if would support Israel. To live any other way is untouchable, an apostate, an fore I utter a word. If I read The prime minister long I knew they would if I lied to In fact, Boteach himself To be a religious person, in theory, is to be to be like the donkey with a anti-Semite, a Jew-hater, a di- from the scroll, if I dare to ago appointed himself the them. I’d rather my kids mis- called the alt-right, the radi- carrot in front of him, going saster for the Jewish people, pray together with my male of the Jewish people. behave than beat them. cal conservative wing that the biggest champion for the statement wherever it leads. That is what and worst of all — a woman. and female friends, if I wrap If he intervenes in order to I find it fascinating, then, Breitbart represents, “de- that the ‘ends don’t justify the means.’ Boteach presented himself as In other words, a woman who myself in a tallit (prayer prevent a serious crisis be- that so many of us do not ap- plorable” on CNN recently. on live television and Twitter believes that she was created shawl), if I want to hold any tween Diaspora Jewry and ply this same logic on a larger When asked whether he was when he embraced a white in God’s image, and therefore civil ceremony on this plaza the local Haredi junta, that level. In our communities, in providing cover for Bannon All this would just be an- ers will suffer. nationalist in order to get his her religious right to read that doesn’t find favor in the would be his last finest hour. our politics. by appearing in such a pic- other media coup by Boteach, Sacrifice. A word that way. An ass being led blindly, aloud from a Torah scroll eyes of the Kotel rabbi, who It would be his opportunity An image recently went vi- ture, his answer was simply, another “friend” he could should mean something to all in constant search of the treat that she is holding in her own according to the proposed to declare that the Western ral among the Jewish world: “There is no reason to believe write about in his next article, of us. When we don’t steal, we he thinks he is fighting for, but hands is no less than the right law will be the new sovereign Wall does not belong to the it was of Shmuley Boteach, Steve Bannon is anything but if not for the fact that, in real- sacrifice the money we could which will never come near of a man, even in the shadow of the site — I will find myself Haredim, but to anyone who the self-professed “America’s a friend of Israel.” ity, Boteach is simply an ex- have made if we did. When we him. And ultimately, all who of the threatening stones of being led away to the police sees it as a religious, spiritual Rabbi,” smiling broadly as he When pressed on other is- tension of the way so much of don’t lie, we sacrifice not get- follow this dark path end up the Western Wall. station, praying that I will and national symbol; that di- stood next to Steve Bannon – sues such as the anti-Muslim, the Jewish world has chosen ting what we want. When we in the same place. Like snakes After long battles, which be given concurrent prison visive and benighted sanctity the controversial new chief misogynist and racist rheto- to live out its public morality. care for our children, we sac- who eat their own tails, they often ended in physical and terms for my various crimi- should not be decided by law; strategist to Donald Trump – ric on Breitbart, Boteach’s To be a religious person, rifice making our lives easier realize that the only result verbal violence by Haredim nal offenses. and that we should immedi- known for heading Breitbart, answer was to pivot away and in theory, is to be the biggest for their well-being. they’ve achieved is to swallow against the Women of the This draft bill wants to ately return to a solution that the internet’s cesspool of alt- try to point out the problems champion for the statement And yet, the concept that their own souls. Wall, it seemed as though a turn Israel into the only respects all the denomina- right bigotry. he saw in the Obama admin- that the “ends don’t justify we should be willing to sacri- I will support Israel until solution was about to be ac- Western country where Jews tions in Judaism. As Ben Shapiro, a former istration. the means.” If I wear my tefil- fice our well-being in order to the day I die. But I’d rather die cepted, according to which do not have freedom of re- It’s doubtful that he will editor-at-large at Breitbart For the record, I agree lin the wrong way, I have not protect the innocent does not than become an idolator. And Reform, Conservative and ligion and conscience. It is meet that challenge. The in- has written, “Andrew Breit- with a lot of what Boteach said fulfilled the mitzvah. It was seem to have become part of I hope the rest of the world be- secular Jews, and those who anti-democratic in the most tegrity of the coalition is of bart despised racism. Truly when it came to his critiques the Ten Commandments that the national conversation this gins to let go of its own idola- believe in gender equality — profound sense possible. If it course more important than despised it. With Bannon of the Obama administra- taught us that choosing not to year. A man like Boteach will try, too. in other words, most of the passes it will impose the Or- the Jewish people, who are of embracing Trump, all that tion. Their inaction in Syria, steal is not about the conse- go on television and proclaim Elad Nehorai is the Jewish people here and in the thodox clerical tyranny of a interest only for the purpose changed. Now Breitbart has especially, is heartbreaking. quences: it is about an objec- that aligning himself with founder and editor-in-chief Diaspora — would be moved religious minority, which is of speeches and donations. become the alt-right go-to If I ever imagined myself on tive truth about what is right the biggest agent of white of Hevria, a publication for into a kind of apartheid plaza, part of an incidental political And women? Who cares: Let website, with [technology edi- CNN, Lord help me, it would and what is wrong. nationalism is a moral action creative Jews, and the blog- where they would be allowed majority, on a huge group of them pray until the police tor Milo] Yiannopoulos push- be in Boteach’s seat, arguing Is this not also true with because it results in “good” ger behind Pop Chassid. to pray according to their out- Jews who do not support this van arrives. ing white ethno-nationalism.” against Peter Beinart about supporting Israel? With our for Israel. Twitter: @PopChassid