this kosher cell phone situation is confounding.
the State has decided that the people administering the kosher cell phone arrangements have basically been abusing their powers and blocking lines, even emergency lines and other important lines willy nilly, in addition to overcharging and basically using it as a source of income and control over the Haredi community. The State therefore has decided to cancel the entire arrangement.
The Haredi askanim are fighting this tooth and nail. They say it is vital for the community.
I have no problem with kosher phones. If that is what enough people want, the service should be provided (assuming a mobile provider wants to provide it). There is a problem that allowing these kosher phones to stay on the market is holding back technology, due to the need to keep the old cell towers up, but if the companies are willing to do it to get the business, that is their decision. And if they can find a way to push the kosher phones to newer technologies, even without Internet access, they should be doing that and phasing out the old over a period of time.
Basically, I see nothing wrong with companies offering a kosher phone service. I think it is perfectly reasonable to put this in the hands of the consumer and the mobile provider, and take it out of the hands of the askanim. I dont think the kosher service needs to be done away with, but it can be administered just like any other phone line. Someone who wants a kosher phone line should be able to sign up through Golan or Hot or Partner or any other company willing to sell kosher lines.
------------------------------------------------------
Reach thousands of readers with your ad by advertising on Life in Israel
------------------------------------------------------
