Gaining Ground

File Photo: David Rubinger

The ultra-Orthodox Jewish boy in this photograph has reason to flash the Victory sign, even as he emerges from a blue haze of tear gas. Lately, in confrontations with secular Israelis, the ultra-Orthodox or Haedim are winning. In Jerusalem, where they make up nearly 20% of the population, they have their own segregated buses, shops and neighborhoods, and if anyone is foolish enough to drive through their 'hoods on a Sabbath, the car is likely to get a stone smashed through the windshield.

They even turned againt the Israel state airline, El Al, recently, threatening a boycott because planes flew on a Sabbath to handle thousands of passengers stranded by a strike at Ben Gurion airport. When one of the planes developed engine trouble this was seen by some devout Rabbis as a sign that a divine transgression had occured, and the Almighty was not pleased. El Al backed down and the boycott was averted. According to their rules, no labor is allowed on the Jewish holy day, not even pressing elevator buttons or light switches.

Having bested the Israeli airline, the Haredim are turning their attention to the skies once again. This time, they are demanding that park authorities halt the annual count of migratory birds since it falls on a Sabbath. Otherwise, Haredim members of the Knesset threaten a no-confidence vote in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's fragile coalition. It could be the first time in history that a dispute over a flock of birds downs a government.
by Tim McGirk/Jerusalem