Is it good or bad that Netanyahu met with Reform leaders? Should the Haredi parties turn this into a coalition crisis?
I understand and accept that the Ultra Orthodox position has been, for a very long time, that there is no official coordination and recognition of the Reform by the Orthodox. One of the main manifestations of this is that Ultra Orthodox clergy and community leaders will never have an official meeting with Reform clergy or community leaders.
I understand the general history of the fighting, of the division, of the split, that led to this position.
I get that, and I accept that.
But PM Netanyahu is not Ultra Orthodox.
I accept that in a "Halachic State", if it ever came to be, the Halachic leaders would most likely ban any recognition or acceptance of Reform. But Israel is not [yet] a halachic state. It is a Jewish and democratic one, not a halachic one. Israel is perhaps largely traditional, partly religious, and partly secular, but it is not a halachic state, nor is it an ultra orthodox state.
And PM Benjamin Netanyahu is not Ultra Orthodox. He is not even religious. He eats treif and does not keep Shabbos. Pretty similar to the State.
I understand the leaders of the Haredi community, that being the rabbonim, the askanim, the MKs, educators, and others, will not, and cannot, accept or recognize or cooperate with the Reform community on any (or maybe just most) issue. Definitely not publicly.
But PM Netanyahu is not a member or leader of the Haredi community. PM Netanyahu is the Prime Minister of Israel. It is his job to take care of the needs of all groups of residents and citizens of Israel, and some would say of the entire Jewish community around the world. PM Netanyahu must be concerned, in a secular democratic state, for the needs of the Jews, the Christians, the Arabs, the Circassians, the Druze, the men and women and children and elderly, the handicapped, the brilliant, the sick, the gifted, the poor, the rich, the weak, and any other type of person in Israel. Netanyahu is equally obligated and responsible for the Ultra Orthodox, the Secular, the Atheists, the Reform, the Conservative, and others.
So, I understand and accept how the Ultra Orthodox parties reject cooperation with the Reform. I don't understand how they can demand that of Netanyahu and turn it into a coalition crisis.
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