A nasty row has broken out within the UKIP (United Kingdom Independence Party) over an EP (European Parliament) candidate’s refusal to shake women’s hands due to his religious beliefs.
Shneur Zalman Odze, a prospective MEP for the North West of England, has told party members his Orthodox Judaism forbids him from physical contact with women other than his wife.
Some party activists say they are offended by his stance, which threatens to alienate half the electorate.
But senior officials have rebuked these activists as “rude” and “wrong” for refusing to respect Odze’s beliefs.
Fred McGlade, a UKIP regional organizer, has already resigned from his post in protest at the decision to include Odze, 31, on the party’s list of top MEP candidates.
He warned UKIP chairman Steve Crowther that he would stand down if Odze was chosen by the party, because of his attitude towards women.
At least one UKIP branch has banned Odze because of what a member described as his “difficult and aggressive behavior.”
Crowther told the Times it was “rude” of McGlade and others to complain about Odze.
He said: “We have a policy of tolerance for and acceptance of people’s own religious observance. We do not consider it grounds for complaint. It harms no one.”
Ozde, who is fourth on the Ukip’s MEP list in the North West, was unavailable to comment.
{Matzav.com Newscenter}
He should go from strength to strength.
For the benefit of those unfamiliar with UK politics, UKIP is an openly racist (and hence anti-semitic) party – whose increasing popularity is scary!
Yidden do not belong in politics.
For an interesting discussion of shaking a woman’s hand in Halacha- see Umekareiv Biyamin number 14 by Harav Chaim Avraham Zakutinsky.
Here’s the link- http://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=51347&st=&pgnum=201
Anyone who knows observant Jews knows how they are brought up to respect women, from mothers to wives and all others. We are constantly taught on all levels to avoid even the indecency which is so prevalent and even encouraged in the world at large.
Solve the issue quickly!
Don’t shake ANYONE’S hand!
Ultimately, he has his true calling. Being a Jew. Not running for office. He can certainly do as he wishes and perhaps he will or will not be elected. Ultimately, I think he should do what is right for his Judaism and not for his “state”.
Baruch Hashem he is following Halacha.
although they deny it.
its not against women. Women cant shake mens hand either
isav sonei yaakob
I don’t think it’s silly at all. McGlade’s actions indicate that he is a anti- semite. He is evil and reverses the truth.