A few random acts of harassment in Israel were characterized as “Jewish extremism” in Wednesday’s Inquirer story “Ultra-Orthodox’s actions against females decried.” Those acts have been widely and forcefully condemned, including by Israel’s prime minister, president, and chief rabbi. Even a leader of the group the miscreants come from has publicly criticized their behavior. There have been demonstrations against their misdeeds.
Contrary to The Inquirer’s story, what is being highlighted is not “Jewish extremism,” but widespread Israeli intolerance of the extremists’ misbehavior.
What a contrast to Egypt, Gaza, and Iran, where religious zealots are largely free from criticism or restraint by public officials for acts of far greater violence and intolerance toward Muslims, Christians, and others. There, of course, religious extremists are not criticized by the government; they are the government.