I have no problem knowing that there are plenty of people who want to vote for Moshe Abutbol for a variety of reasons. Some think he did a great job in the past term. Some think he will do a great job. Some like the way he looks. Some like the way he dresses. Some like his endorsements. Some because of this or that rabbi that says to vote for him. Heck, in America people vote based on the endorsement of actors and athletes, so trusting a rabbi or mentor based on his endorsement is perfectly fine by me.
What I don't understand is how people, very intelligent people, can see what has been happening the past week or two and support that. They see the intimidation, the see the threats, the thuggery, the lies, the cynical lies and even ridiculous campaign promises with no explanation of where the theoretical money will come from, the tearing down of signs from private property (forget public property - private property!), the hatred and name calling being invoked (go down on Friday to the Merkaz Mischari in RBS A or to the junction between neighborhoods at the edge of RBS B and you won't see thoughtful discussion, debate and argument - you will see hatred and violence, both verbal and physical). And they continue to support that. Why are these tactics supportable? Why are the people behind them supportable? Why are people who come from democratic countries with backgrounds full of accomplishment and education backing someone who uses these tactics to get ahead, to no personal gain of their own?
You want to talk chilul shabbos? While Moshe Abutbol is busy consistently accusing Eli Cohen of planning to bring mass chilul shabbos to Bet Shemesh, despite Eli Cohen's denials and promises, Moshe Abutbol's frum supporters are busy tearing down Cohen's signs (among others, like TOV signs as well) on Shabbos!
A rabbi spoke in his shul this shabbos saying he himself witnessed frum people tearing down Cohen's signs on Shabbos! Adults, not kids. He approached the people tearing down the signs and said to them that it is Shabbos and that is not allowed, besides for the other problems of tearing down someone else's signs. Their response was that it is a milchemet mitzva and therefore it is a mitzva to tear down his signs, even on Shabbos.
They justify chilul shabbos! That is how corrupt the campaign has gotten! They accuse Eli Cohen of planning to introduce chilul shabbos to the city, at the same time they are desecrating the shabbos on their own and justifying it as a mitzva!
Some people don't know. They aren't interested in politics, they go about their lives and will just vote based on what the rabbonim say, what they hear, or the little they know. I have no questions about them. I wish I was so tomim, I wish getting gan eden would be so easy, I wish them the best of luck and happiness. They have no idea about any of this, so no problem. But those who do know?
The one consolation is that the ballot box is private and secret, and while publicly maybe they feel they must endorse despite the horrible tactics used, in private nobody knows who they actually vote for and they can there say no to intimidation.
------------------------------------------------------
Reach thousands of readers with your ad by advertising on Life in Israel
------------------------------------------------------
