Actually, Cohen's initial statement was not actually all that interesting - except for a couple of points within. It was Abutbol's response that was more interesting.
Bet Shemesh mayoral candidate Eli Cohen has condemned the violence of extremist-haredi protesters at the Goloventzitz construction site.
Cohen called for an end to the violence and said that once it is violence against a young girl, then violence in a bus and then violence within the haredi community itself. Cohen further said that he expects the mayor to come out against the violence and work in all possible ways against the extremist rioters, adding that more than a few haredim have come to him asking him to take action on this issue.
blah blah blah...
Cohen added an interesting point that this is not a fight over protecting Judaism, but is damaging to weaker families who spent a lot of money buying houses in that area... this is similar to the stopping of construction of the cultural center - it is taking advantage of a weak municipal system for objectives that are not connected at all to religious issues...
blah blah blah
The mayor of Bet Shemesh, Moshe Abutbol, responded saying "I recognize the problem in the most clear way and have tried in the past to be a bridge and to work a compromise between the two sides, but unfortunately without success. I will continue to search for solutions of peace, love and friendship.
Regarding the calls of Eli Cohen, I call upon the new candidate who does not know his right from his left of the Haredi community to not stick his head into areas in which he has no understanding and try to create politics on the backs of the haredi public over sensitive issues that he has no understanding of."
(source: Kikar)
It is that attitude that causes many to not like him, and is a large part of why he has opposition of many people, even though he has done some good things. I don't know what he can do to stop the thugs, but I am not mayor. He claims to know all the intricacies, yet he has not even called on the community to put an end to the violence, nor has he encouraged the police to put an end to it (not that they need his encouragement, but it is good for residents to hear that the mayor condemns this type of behavior).
He has to work quietly and sensitively to put an end to the violence perpetrated by 60 or so people? The entire haredi community in the city is opposed to their violence, and he gives them legitimacy looking for a compromise? thousands of people have to compromise with 60 thugs?
If he can't find a successful solution, by his own admission, at least condemn the violence. That is the minimum that is expected. Residents of the city don't think he has our best interests in mind when he is busy giving legitimacy to violence and its perpetrators.
And if he is so smart and an expert on the intrigues of the haredi community, why is he so unsuccessful at coming to a solution? If he can't even succeed at what he is an expert at, why should we trust in or rely on him for other things? And his arrogance - you know nothing and I know everything.. bah..
I don't have the solution and I do not know what can be done by the mayor, but I am not mayor nor am I running for mayor. I expect at minimum a condemnation (along with a smidgen of humility) and would hope for more than that.
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