The Haredim have a very talented minister - he is called Litzman. I said to him in the government Cabinet meeting 'you [the Haredi public] need to learn core curriculum studies alone, after all you want to be able to support yourselves. But it is happening all on its own, and young Haredi men and women go on their own to the Internet and take classes in mathematics and English. it is true that because of coalition agreements I cannot obligate you, but it is happening anyway..
-- PM Benjamin Netanyahu, at a session meeting with students of military prep academies
I see 3 things that the Haredi leadership could possibly be upset about, at least due to the publication of this openly rather than just letting it happen quietly:
1. Netanyahu says the Haredi youth are using the Internet - something that has clearly been banned by the rabbonim in general and has been fought very strongly by the Haredi leadership.
2. Netanyahu revealing that the Haredi young men and women are taking core curriculum studies [via the Internet] - something the Haredi leadership (rabbonim and askanim) have opposed.
3. Netanyahu revealing that he really does want to obligate the Haredi public to study core curriculum topics but that he cannot because of coalition agreements. Until now it was excused by blaming the previous government's actions on Lapid and claiming Netanyahu's hands were tied due to coalition agreements insisted on by Lapid. According to Netanyahu's statement today, Netanyahu himself really wants to force the Haredim to study these topics but cannot do so right now, and is pleased it is happening anyway.
I have no idea if Netanyahu has actual data and knowledge to back up these claims or if he is just saying things that he thinks people want to hear...
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