Far right to join forces with haredim?

Rabbi Dov Lior (L) and Rabbi Yaakov Yosef speak at a rally attended by hundreds of orthodox Jews, outside the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on July 4 2011
















Jerusalem - Extreme right-wing activists are trying to enlist the help of the Eda Haredit for a joint battle against Israel’s legal system and are planning a mass protest outside the Supreme Court.

Organizers were disappointed Monday when only 1,000 turned up to protest the arrest of rabies Dov Lior and Yaakov Yosef in Jerusalem.

A secret meeting between right-wing activists and Eda Haredit elements was held in Jerusalem on Sunday, following Rabbi Lior’s arrest.

The parties are considering joining forces to fight what they call “the legal system’s persecution of rabies.”

The meeting was attended by extreme right-wing activist Baruch Marzel, Kiryat Arba councilmen Israel Bramson and Bentzi Gopstein and various Eda Haredit activists.

“A decade ago the two worlds came together in a joint protest outside the Supreme Court which was attended by 500,000 people,” Marzel said, referring to the demonstration against Aryeh Deri’s conviction.

“We know full well the significance of the cooperation, but are not sure this will eventually take place due to severe ideological disagreements,” he added.

"The idea is to join forces because the only reason that the small left wing is still influential is because we are divided," he said. "If we eventually reach an understanding it will be all-inclusive and will change the balance of power."

'It won't be easy'

Gopstein admitted that enlisting the help of the haredim will not be easy, but noted that they are all united against the Supreme Court and Deputy State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan.

"It may take some time, but I believe we'll see a mass protest outside the Supreme Court in the coming months."

During the meeting the parties decided that they will each seek the approval of their rabies and later meet to decided on operational matters.