Deputy Minister of Finance Michal Woldiger (Religious Zionism) is highly concerned about the incitement against the government and the religious and haredi sectors and feels that the background is not related to the legal reform.
"There is great concern that these people are being incited against the religious and haredi sectors, against the 'extremists,' and this permeates into the public. When you diffuse hatred and detachment and say how 'dark' the other side is, it can sway the public, and then you create division and incitement," Woldiger told Israel National News - Arutz Sheva.
She added, "I am an advocate of dialogue and reaching broad agreements, but we have to understand this, because we live here together, and we will live here together for many more years, and we mustn't poke our fingers in each other's eye, and that is what they're doing. It's a pity."
She added that, "There are people in Israel who believe that people like us do not deserve to be in leadership. This is not a democracy. There are those who cry for democracy, but actually want a dictatorship, because they are not ready for people like me to be in control. We want real democracy, and the situation makes me sad; but I am still optimistic. We work very hard to make it good for everyone here."
Woldiger also referred to the current wave of terrorism and states that the government is taking extensive measures to eradicate it. "The situation is really, really bad. I am not ignoring it and I don't want to ignore it, but it's clear that there is no quick treatment. These are processes that are occurring, and we are doing all that we can to stop terrorism."
She believes that the government should further tighten its control in the face of the wave of attacks: "We don't need to just respond to terrorism, but also to take action. There may be a need for another military operation, to bring back the checkpoints, to bring back the targeted countermeasures, to enact the law to deport terrorists. We cannot let our enemies drive on the roads of Judea and Samaria as if it is their natural home, while at the same time, we live in fear."
"Besides the security level, there is the issue of settlement. I believe that terrorism was born out of hope, and we need to suppress it through more settlements and greater presence in Judea and Samaria, in the Galilee and the Negev," she added.
To the question regarding stopping of funds to the Arab authorities, Woldiger answered that this also is somehow connected to the eradication of terrorism: "We stopped sending money to the Arab authorities, not because we don't want to give it to them, but because we need to know that it doesn't end up supporting crime and terrorism. We need to understand that there are mechanisms that are good and high-quality and that the funds are really going to provide education, welfare and infrastructure."