Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., May 04, 2008 Nisan 29, 5768 | | Israel Time: 00:36 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

President Shimon Peres during his visit to Warsaw this week. (Mark Neyman) Last update - 12:55 17/04/2008 Peres to declare reconciliation between secular and Haredim By Yair Ettinger, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Shimon Peres, ultra-Orthodox President Shimon Peres intends to call for a reconciliation between the ultra-Orthodox community and secular Israelis on Independence Day, the ultra-Orthodox weekly Mishpacha reported in the edition to be published Thursday. "There is no Israeliness without Judaism," Peres told Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau and Migdal Haemek Rabbi Yitzhak David Grossman, the publication reported. T Advertisement he president blasted the secular public's attitude toward religious and ultra-Orthodox people. "I totally reject the scorn (displayed) toward the religious and ultra-Orthodox Jew, whether he wears a capote (a long, black jacket) or a four-fringed garment. There is no place for condescension, derision or mockery. Such behavior heightens the barriers between us," Peres said. Peres opened his campaign for reconciliation between the secular and the ultra-Orthodox three weeks ago during a visit to the Weizmann Institute. "The secular public must stop treating the ultra-Orthodox community with contempt," he said at the time. He told the two rabbis, both Israel Prize laureates for Lifetime Achievement and Exceptional Contribution to the Nation, that he intends to raise the issue of secular-ultra-Orthodox relations in his address to the nation on Independence Day eve. Peres told the rabbis that he would address "first secular people, before complaining about the ultra-Orthodox and others. I'll say: Let's examine ourselves before preaching to others. After all, we're the majority. This is no way to behave, with disrespect, with lack of restraint. I hope this voice will be heard in all the communities. This issue must become part of the public discourse." "Our fathers, who revived the Jewish settlement in Israel, acted in two ways. First physical national revival, for we were a nation without land. Then spiritual revival - reviving Jewish culture and heritage, which I see as no less important than the physical revival," Peres said. The conversation was reported by Yossi Elitov. Peres said he hoped the second part of the plan - the spiritual revival - would begin soon. "Let's return to our roots," he said. "There is no dispute that Israeli youth must learn the Torah. You cannot be an Israeli without being Jewish. Why should we give up the great treasure of Jewish literature? What have our Jewish fathers left us? Neither houses nor pyramids. What is the people of the book? A nation that has books, so why shouldn't this people study them?" Peres said. Related articles: Peres, at Warsaw uprising memorial: Israel will avenge Holocaust through peace Bible club founded by Ben-Gurion gets revived with a Peres twist Blair, Gorbachev, Streisand to attend Israel's 60th celebrations Bookmark to del.icio.us   Security first Foreign Minister Livni tells the PA to ensure terrorists don't exploit Israel's gestures. Terrorist pride Lebanon-based guerillas Hezbollah say they're proud to appear on the U.S. terrorist list.   1.   surely the contempt has been a two way street 09:04  |  newageblues 17/04/08   2.   what?! don`t you have something else to do?! 09:35  |  Michael 17/04/08   3.   Let them get a job first and serve in the army 09:46  |  SJ 17/04/08   4.   you can`t be israeli without being jewish? 09:47  |  Smith 17/04/08   5.   reconciliation between secular and Haredim 09:52  |  Stanley 17/04/08   6.   Reconciliation between secular and haredim. 10:01  |  Ralph Blumenau 17/04/08   7.   must be Jewish?? 10:02  |  qrypt 17/04/08   8.   Peres 10:29  |  Ussishkin 17/04/08   9.   The Ultra Orthodox in Israel 10:31  |  Margalit Shinar 17/04/08   10.   Israelis must be Jewish 10:36  |  Margalit Shinar 17/04/08   11.   I wish him much success 10:38  |  Joseph 17/04/08   12.   contempt 10:51  |  Freddy 17/04/08   13.   It`s reciprocal... 11:01  |  Esther 17/04/08   14.   Contempt?????? 11:03  |  Minuteman 17/04/08   15.   "You cannot be Israeli without being Jewish," 11:08  |  Esther 17/04/08   16.   Peres, you don`t represent me 11:47  |  JustMe 17/04/08   17.   How it happened.... 11:55  |  Esther 17/04/08   18.   Thank You my President Peres and Happy Pesach! 12:01  |  AliciaYasmeen 17/04/08   19.   ABALE, WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO? 12:08  |  Robert 17/04/08   20.   Come on , Peres! 12:27  |  nina 17/04/08   21.   And the Charedim Just Love Secular People 12:30  |  Jerusalem Joe 17/04/08   22.   Haredi contempt... 12:45  |  Michael 17/04/08   23.   #4 - Smith 12:48  |  Michael 17/04/08   24.   oh no! 12:55  |  justme 17/04/08   25.   All of your bashing comments just prove Peres right! 14:18  |  Ani 17/04/08   26.   NEIGHBOURS, WORLDS APART 14:30  |  soggy liberal 17/04/08   27.   It`s time! 14:41  |  B.Schaepdryver 17/04/08   28.   Some TBers splitting hair here 14:41  |  AliciaYasmeen 17/04/08   29.   Great! Now Heredim Can Vote Likud! 14:56  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 17/04/08   30.   north tel-aviv wake up-listen to your president, stop the hate 15:08  |  eli 17/04/08   31.   Who Need To Stop Treating Who With Contempt? 15:13  |  B`Galil 17/04/08   32.   Who Need To Stop Treating Who With Contempt? 15:16  |  B`Galil 17/04/08   33.   Peres follows in Katsav`s ignorant footsteps 15:52  |  David Teich 17/04/08   34.   "You cannot be Israeli without being Jewish," 16:12  |  Israeli 17/04/08   35.   Peres is a dinosaur. 16:44  |  Deborah 17/04/08   36.   Peres is a dinosaur. 16:44  |  Deborah 17/04/08   37.   Peres is a dinosaur. 16:44  |  Deborah 17/04/08   38.   what can we do? 17:17  |  AMIHAY 17/04/08   39.   Kol Hacovod, Peres. Much needed... 17:56  |  bat yam 17/04/08   40.   Remember Why 18:13  |  mattai 17/04/08   41.   Listen. If Jews are making such great efforts for peacewith Arabs 19:48  |  c`mon jewboys 17/04/08   42.   #30 - Eli 20:15  |  Michael 17/04/08   43.   Peres, I love you, BUT 20:17  |  Danny Epicorus 17/04/08   44.   This from PERES? Is Moshiach`s arrival reported in this issue? 20:43  |  Dr. L. Brnd 17/04/08   45.   Listen. If Jews are making such great efforts for peacewith Arabs 21:56  |  c`mon jewboys 17/04/08   46.   Peres is wrong 23:15  |  Daniel Pore 17/04/08   47.   #40 michael 04:03  |  eli 18/04/08   48.   I want to respect the Haredim 14:25  |  Miche Norman 03/05/08

Read & React Livni: PA must ensure terrorists don`t exploit our W. Bank moves Responses: 340 IDF releases clip clearing itself of blame for Gaza family deaths Responses: 297 U.S. envoy cuts short Hebron trip after clash with settlers Responses: 213 Justice Ministry: Contrary to reports, no discussion of Olmert's position Responses: 148 Gaza sewage pumped into the sea over past three months Responses: 147 Rosner's Domain Carter is helping Hamas achieve their strategic goal Asali: on nationalist fantasies, religious zealotry, of Israelis/Palestinians Should Israel remain Jewish? (WTR) Super headache for superdelegates Talking about war with Iran is not necessarily bad More Headlines 00:19 Rice to pressure Israel on West Bank roadblocks 22:56 Justice Ministry: Contrary to reports, no discussion of Olmert's position 22:37 Bodies of Bolivia accident victims to arrive in Israel 14:21 Major powers offer Iran fresh incentives to halt nuke program 18:24 Kuwaiti paper: Hamas willing to show flexibility over Shalit 11:39 The Palestinian Rothschilds 17:36 Lebanese Druze leader: Expel Iranian ambassador from Beirut 23:29 2 children, 1 senior citizen die in separate fires across Israel 10:18 Egypt's Islamic opposition slams gov't over gas deal with Israel 12:02 Palestinian forces en route to Jenin for large-scale security op Previous Editions Select Day 02 may 01 may 30 apr 29 apr 28 apr 27 apr 25 apr 24 apr 23 apr 22 apr 21 apr 20 apr

Special Offers Advertisement Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer The interest rates haven't changed But your profits will! Learn Hebrew online with Israel's best teachers Sign up for a trial lesson today Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt