Daphna Berman, Haaretz Correspondent: U.S. immigrant beaten up in 'pogrom' by ultra-Orthodox gang
Talkback
Title:Don`t try to explain this away!
Name:eliyahu
City: Beit ShemeshState: Israel
Mr. "Jewish State", secular youth don`t "stab each other ever Friday night in discos," except in your mind. Stop trying to minimize the sick phenomenon of violence utilized by haredim to enforce pseudo-religious values. The "hilul Hashem" they create will not be negated by minimizing this phenomenon or explaining it away, or claiming that the perpetrators couldn`t be real haredim if they would do such a thing.

Unfortunately, haredi society has become serverely disfunctional, and its distorted value system is producing individuals who would beat women who wear trousers or sit at the "wrong" end of a public bus.

Instead of explaining this behavior away, say you are embarrassed by it. Disassociate yourself from it. Insist that the rabbis denounce it. Demand that the police crack down on it. Speak out when you hear people publicly supporting such behavior. Rid your community of this evil in your midst.