Shlomi Emunim Chairman, MK Meir Porush, carried the main burden this evening (Thursday) at the 'Economic Wisdom Conference', which is being held with the participation of senior business executives, public figures, community representatives and economic experts, and deals with the economic challenges of the Haredi public and tools for proper economic conduct.
In his speech, he addressed the public issues on the agenda and said: "The Haredi public is currently under unprecedented attack, including an economic attack. The legal regime seeks to threaten our very existence and our right to live in the Land of Israel according to our faith.".
""The halting of budgets for Torah scholars, educational institutions, kindergarten teachers, everything related to the Haredi public, and the economic decrees and the denial of basic rights for Torah scholars - none of this is a question of money - it is a predatory and transparent attempt to harm Torah and Torah media, in a desperate attempt to force us to change our way of life.".
In his remarks, he referred to data from the "Intelligence Index" as part of a unique survey of its kind conducted together with the "Midgam" Institute on the Haredi economy: 41% Haredi households were forced this year to cut back on buying basic foods like meat and fish, or rely on food stamps. Among young people, including the Avrechim, this number jumps to 51%.
According to him, "The meaning is clear, and what we said last year was factually substantiated by data - the legal system made a decision to starve the children of ultra-Orthodox Israel. From their perspective, a child whose father studies Torah should go to bed hungry.".
""They chose to fight an economic war against us, and therefore, from this honorable platform, I will not hesitate to answer them in their own language. I want to convey a clear message to decision-makers and heads of the economy: As revealed here, the Haredi public consumes over 51 billion shekels a year.
""These numbers prove that we are a formidable economic force. If anyone thinks they can continue to pursue us economically - let them know that we will not hesitate to use this enormous consumer power. At the moment of truth, if the great men of Israel give the order, we will know how to use our economic power to achieve our most basic demand: to live here as Haredi Jews without compromise, and to reduce the ability to harm us.".
