A driver employed by the Dan Company referred to chareidim as “animals”, resulting in non-frum passengers on a bus to respond.

There can be no doubt that the constant reference to chareidim as “parasites” and the use of other derogatory terms in reference to the frum community in the media has some feeling they are licensed to refer to chareidim as they see fit. Perhaps since the last Knesset pushed its “share the burden” agenda to induct chareidim into the IDF, the chareidim in Israel have been under a magnifying glass and too often believed to be a population that takes without making any contribution to Israeli society. The chareidim are blamed for using too much of the state’s services, for failing to educate their children properly, and simply as being takers without contributing to society.

Chareidim traveling on a 45 bus from the Dan Company were shocked on Wednesday Chol Hamoed Pesach at about 20:20, when the driver referred to them as “animals”. According to persons who were on the bus traveling from Tel Aviv to Bnei Brak, prior to stopping, the driver announced “I have to stop for these animals now”.

There were dozens of chareidim waiting for the bus at Gesher Bavli, returning from a day of Yomtov fun at Gan Yehoshua. Kikar Shabbos quotes eyewitnesses saying the driver was not in the least bit embarrassed, making certain to make his remarks in a loud tone so others on the bus could hear him. Some of the non-religious passengers criticized the actions of the driver.

Some of the chareidim who got on the bus at that stop report the driver was quite volatile in his language towards them as they boarded. The driver then tried to explain his way out of the situation, stating he was angered because the people at the bus stop were standing in the street but it was clear to all that he foul language were simply the result of his hate for chareidim.

Attorney Moshe Morgenstern reports a number of the passengers insulted by the driver turned to him during Chol Hamoed Pesach to report the incident and their pain. He adds he and his clients are waiting to see how Dan deals with the driver prior to deciding what action they will take, if any.

Dan Company officials decried the actions of the driver, explaining such behavior towards any population is unacceptable. The company has summoned the driver for a hearing and adds it has the utmost respect for the chareidi tzibur.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)