Supreme Court President Justice Isaac Amit ignited outrage in the Chareidi community Wednesday after suggesting during a court hearing that many Chareidim who publicly carry kosher phones also privately keep smartphones, prompting Shas to accuse Israel’s top judge of displaying contempt and arrogance toward an entire sector of the population.
Amit made the comments while discussing the use of kosher phones, devices commonly used in the Chareidi community that either block internet access and other content or do not provide internet capabilities at all.
“Many times, those who have a kosher phone in one pocket also have a [regular] phone to stay connected in the other pocket,” he said.
Amit went further, asserting that he had heard that a substantial portion of the Chareidi population maintains two separate cellular devices — one for public use and another with smartphone capabilities.
“They say that a very significant percentage of the Chareidi population owns two phones. One kosher phone to show off, and one real phone, a smarter phone.”
The comments quickly triggered an angry reaction from Shas, which accused Amit of ridiculing Chareidim who deliberately limit their access to smartphones and the internet for religious and family reasons.
“The brazen mockery by Supreme Court President Justice Amit toward kosher phone owners expresses arrogance and detachment from a huge public that chooses to raise children in a protected and pure environment.”
Shas also defended its efforts to preserve the kosher cellular-phone system, saying it considers the ability of religious communities to maintain their standards a fundamental right that it will continue fighting to protect.
“Shas is proud to have led the kosher phone legislation and will continue to protect the right of every community to live according to its faith,” the party added.
{Matzav.com}
