ELECTIONS 2015
8 days to go
Politicians encouraged to respect one another,
“Thou shalt not incite” may not be one of the Ten Commandments in the Book of Exodus, but it is one of the key rules for political candidates, according to NGO Gesher. The organization, dedicated to closing the gap between secular and religious Jews, released its “Ten Commandments for the Elections” to promote respectful dialogue between candidates, and help them be an example of how to disagree and still behave appropriately. The list goes along with Gesher’s Jerusalem Unity Prize, which is dedicated to the memories of Gil-ad Shaer, Naftali Fraenkel and Eyal Yifrah, the teens kidnapped and murdered by Hamas terrorists last summer. The project was initiated by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and the boys’ families. Gesher’s rules are: Respect candidates; be tolerant and patient; act responsibly; be a role model; don’t be aggressive; don’t incite; don’t be divisive; don’t disregard; be authentic and accountable, and argue the issue, not the person. A video produced to go along with the commandments features politicians complimenting their colleagues on the other side of the political spectrum. Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, who is seen by many haredim (ultra-Orthodox) as anti-religious, told Shas MK Itzik Cohen that he is “a decent and good person who knows how to cross the aisle in the Knesset and say ‘here is a good idea, let’s work on this together.’” Bayit Yehudi MK Ayelet Shaked said of MK Shelly Yacimovich (Labor): “I truly respect you. You’re always honest and matter-of-fact and say what you think... I’m happy there are people like you in the Knesset.” Jerusalem Unity Prize director Anat Schwarz Weil said she found it “quite moving to see politicians who fight so passionately for their beliefs on important issues take a moment to appreciate and compliment those with whom they disagree the most.”