Israel: Women Photoshopped From Cabinet Picture To Cater To The Ultra-Orthodox

JERUSALEM — Two women serve in Israel's new Cabinet, but some Israelis would rather not see them.

Newspapers aimed at ultra-Orthodox Jewish readers tampered with the inaugural photograph of the Cabinet, erasing ministers Limor Livnat and Sofa Landver.

Ultra-Orthodox newspapers consider it immodest to print images of women.

The daily Yated Neeman digitally changed the photo, moving two male ministers into the places formerly occupied by the women.

The weekly Shaa Tova simply blacked the women out, in a photo reprinted Friday by the mainstream daily Maariv.

No response was available from the two papers.

During the election, campaign posters featuring female candidate Tzipi Livni were defaced near ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods.

Comments

[eirrac]

Wonder how the ultra-conservatives managed when Golda Meir was in charge of their country. They couldn't block her from pictures. These men are stupid.

[mollymac]

First I read about men savagely beating a woman on the streets of Pakistan; then one second later, the israeli's are snarking about women in the damned picture! I say, if they're going to be religious persecutors, I am not supporting them AT ALL! What is with you men?

[care4mypeeps]

Hey! All men can't bear the blame for men who ignore the rightful position God gave women to stand beside the man and work harmoniouly together with him.

I have a awesome husband and raise two fine son's who are now grown with thier own families
and know how to respect women.

On the other hand men who disrespect women and create a culture that does the same is condemned in the Bible and have to answer to God.

So let's not send All our men down the river, there are many fine integrity filled men in the world you just won't find them in the Bars.

[who38]

Or in fundamentalist religious groups of any faith.

[jenesaispas]

Complacency is no excuse.

[youvegot2bekidding]

'have to answer to god' -
Is this the same god that rewarded Lot after he offered up his daughter for rape?

[barrycourage]

Orthodox Israeli's trying to adhere to ancient sexist religious beliefs as closely as they can.

Doctoring a picture in support of your religious beliefs is quite different than beating a woman for violating another obnoxious ancient sexist religious belief.

Supporting? I doubt that this is the only reason why you don't "support" Orthodox Judaism or radical Islam.

[moflard]

Oh put another record on. "Everyone who criticises Israel or Judaism is antisemitic", we get it. Not true, doesn't work any more, but we get it.

[care4mypeeps]

Intolorance and discrimination againts women because of their gender is Totally wrong and Needs to be address as Israel is our Allie and can not be allowed to disrespect Women with or without Political authority.

How in the world can we keep allowing Israel to play the Middle East bully while we turn our heads because of their Religious significance as is written in the bible.

If God can speak directly to Israel in the bible and tell them to get themselves together So can we.
It is dereliction of duty to allow Any Nation to mistreat its Citizens and not speak out.

The act of editing Ministers Limor Livnat and sofa Landver is unconscienable.

[who38]

Just read that they believe that creation began about 5700 years ago. Just had a big celebration to the sun in honor of this.

[jenesaispas]

Until culture evolve from religion nothing will ever change.

[Kingstone]

Leave them alone, cut ties completely.

[UrsoNbelievable]

[Part 3 of 3]
Nonetheless, I'm equally appalled and disturbed by posts which assert that this is a reflection of all Israeli politics. It is not. To claim the altered image as evidence of what is wrong with the governmental policies of Israel is disingenuous. The outrage should be focused at the publishers of this paper who permitted this distortion to be printed. If we can momentarily push politics aside, we should all be able to agree that the original photo is the "true" representation of the current Israeli cabinet. It is precisely our awareness of both images that stands as an example of what is right with a democratic society.

Thank you HUFFPO! [End of Part 3 of 3]

[who38]

And the outrage also needs to be focused on a government that allows this to happen in the media. Have any Israeli government officials or wannabes repudiated these papers?

[UrsoNbelievable]

I couldn't tell you if the Israeli government has repudiated these papers. I would assume that the female Cabinet members, at the very least, are incensed. I would also guess that these women aren't "that surprised" by the actions of these ultra-religious outlets. It seems to be part of their "standards & practices.­"

But I don't think the government should blamed for what happens in the media. And do not agree that the government should control or regulate what is published or broadcast, although this obviously happens, to one degree or another, in all nations. But that is a whole other discussion.

I will add, however, that if a law has been broken it is now the responsibility of the courts to sort out the illegality of their actions and to mete out the appropriate punishment.

[barrycourage]

Why should they?

If Obama or anyone in his cabinet repudiated Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Judaism, or any other organized religion it would undercut the very principles of the Constitution.

What totalitarian state do you live in?

[UrsoNbelievable]

But here we are, all of us, shooting fish in a barrel. It is easy to see what is wrong with this picture. Clearly this retouched photograph is a distortion of the truth and all of us should be equally dismayed. But I also realize that there are some groups, throughout this country and other nations, who might agree in principle to the changes made to the photo. Ironically, it is the right to freely make these "revisions" that makes a strong society. For as improper as I believe the actions undertaken by the editorial staff of this news organization were, I feel the need to defend their right create these false impressions and, at the same time, use my voice to criticize and contradict their lies. I can do this, and still sleep at night, because I choose to believe that the majority of us are reasonable, fair and just. We see through this falsehood and speak out in order to correct the record.
[End of Part 2 of 3]

[who38]

You don't think that bearing false witness, one of the major tenets of the religion in question, in the service of some obscure law that was not written on a tablet is absurd? This entire affair would be laughable except that the papers and readers involved take the issue so seriously.

[UrsoNbelievable]

I find these actions entirely reprehensible. It is nothing short of complete hypocrisy in my view. But I choose not to debate religion, for all religions hold certain beliefs and follow practices and rituals that seem eccentric to an outside observer. I do not want to question one's faith. THAT is a losing battle. Instead I choose to have a voice, a voice that is hopefully strong enough, loud enough and so well informed that it cuts through the din, a voice that lets me speak against the injustice in front of me. And to ensure that my voice can be heard we need a well-functioning democracy that protects the rights of everyone even those who choose to fabricate stories to fit their world view. If there is a lesson to impart to you regarding my beliefs it is that you should endeavor to know your neighbor before you seek to rely on your government because in a democracy who you have as a neighbor is what you have in your government.

[UrsoNbelievable]

HuffPo is correct to bring attention to this story. The fact that an ultra-conservative news outlet has chosen to "update" the current leadership into an "image" that "represents" their belief system is troublesome and newsworthy. But this example of media manipulation has nothing to do with Israeli government policy.

Many of us are failing to examine that within an open progressive society, the voice of a free press does not always speak with absolute veracity. It is up to the citizen to determine what to believe, in essence what is truth. Collectively, we should be willing to listen to all sides and all points of view. How we choose, as individuals, to act in response to the knowledge we seek is what distinguishes us. Accordingly, our actions influence others. In turn, a person might choose to outright support, quietly condone, vehemently disagree or even simply ignore you. The opportunity to continue the debate or undertake a separate course of action is the hallmark of a free society. [End of Part 1 of 3.]

[aercolini]

It's time the US stopped cottling Isreal. If they want to act tough, they can go do it without us.

[messy]

The prime minister appointed two women. It's the press that should be condemned, not the entire country.

[who38]

Hear any protests from people in that country?

[303]

We need a Women's Terror Watch List for groups that allow or enable the marginaliz­ation/degr­adation of women--whether they are internal or external to US proper. Groups/countries on this list should Not receive any US aid--direct or indirect--or be allowed 501(c)/"religious" tax deductions.

As Obama oftern says, this is about our VALUES--and Responsability. So, it's about bloody time the we as a nation speak up about UNACCEPTABLE acts of discrimination, based in medieval mentalities.

Whether it's the Taliban in AfghPakistan, the Ultra-orthodox in Israel or, within our own borders , the Pentecostals in the South or the females who must use the back door and balcony at LA's Culver City King Fahed mosque, our leaders need to stand up for Civil Rights and US laws. Although government has limited authority over private acts, it controls the BullyPulpit and Disbursements from our Welfare Pocketbooks.

To those who say "We can't use the tax code to penalize circumscribed groups/ind­ividuals," I say: "You can't use tax code to support narrow special interests that are antithetical to the public good--and that undermine the US Constitution and public laws."

"We hold these truths to be self-evide­nt...ALL..­. are created equal with certain inalienable rights."

FreeMasons and Orthodox Druids can say what they like and worship as they chose: but the US taxpayer does not have to underwrite or enable these activities, especially when such acts clearly violate US jurisprudence.

[messy]

Then we will be alone in the World. For all countries are worse than us in that regaurd.

[who38]

So we should support oppression so we won't be lonely? Got it.

[ThinkLiberal]

The sooner the U.S. cuts the umbical cord of one-way support to Israel, the better off the world will be. For us it would mean that money paid by U.S. taxpayers can be used to benefit our citizens. For the perpetually-hawkish and restlessly provocative Israel, they will come to realize once and for all, that they no longer have a muscle-bound big brother behind them who will come in and 'fix up' any fights that they instigated. This will give them time to pause and think about always starting wars, then look to the U.S. to bail them out. This nonsense has to stop. If they are so eager to start wars, then let them finish it on their dime and blood. And if they, the region's biggest bully, could just stop always whining and painting themselves as the world's victim - the helpless skinny kid that everyone picks on - the world would be a wonderful, peaceful place.

[AZterritory]

No kidding, well said.

[forpeacealways]

You act like the US didn't start wars across the world. Israel doesn't need American weapons, they are the 4th largest supplier of them. You are so smart but you forgot about that. When has America ever bailed out Israel in a war? I love how there was a prime minister that was a woman in Israel 30 years before an African-American president was elected and still Israel somehow doesn't support Women's rights? I love how people will take this article and spin it into general nature of Israel.

[SonnyBono]

US money and US military equipment have bailed Israel out of every war they have fought since 1948. In 1973, Richard Nixon bailed out Israel during the Yom Kippur war by sending plane loads of military equipment to the Israelis. Nixon and Kissinger figured that since the Soviet Union was supplying the Arabs, we would supply our "ally" the Israelis.

Israel does manufacture some of its own military equipment but we supply the fighter jets that the air force uses and they require a constant stream of replacement parts. We also supply the self propelled artillery that the army uses as well as many of the bombs and munitions. The Israeli army builds its own tanks but its industrial base is not able to provide the entire range of military hardware needed. Since the Israelis have managed to alienate most of the world's suppliers of military hardware except for the US - I doubt that they could continue to maintain their technical superiority over their neighbors without our help.

[BDVR]

Israel better watch it. They could start looking like the bad guy really, really soon.

[unkn1]

Start ???????

[ljc]

What does Isreal contribute to the world? I can't think of a thing. They do not help in military matters. They were not at the G-20. It seems to me that all they do is suck us dry. Enough already.

[forpeacealways]

Google, Microsoft, and Intel all have major research facilities in Israel.

Instant messenger was created in Israel.

Israel created a system that detects earthquakes much faster to warn of tsunamis for countries in the Near East.

Israel created the pill that videotapes the inside of your body.

Israel created the process that certifies that diamonds don't come from conflict areas in Africa.

Just off the top my head

[who38]

LOL. Could start? Ever heard of Gaza?

[unkn1]

The Taliban is alive and well......­... In ISREAL !

[who38]

And some parts of Texas.

[alwqb]

Yet another example of men rule and women are not to be seen or heard. This is a world problem.
Second class pay in American to rape of women in Africa, flogging in Pakistan. Where does it end?
I think it's time for mothers to come together, teach their young sons how to respect women and how
being cruel to another women is an offense to her personally. If we come together to change the world we can, it takes the resources of all the women in the world to make this happen and it starts with our own family to teach what is right and wrong. Respect for women starts at home.

[Nanaama]

If you pay attention you will realize that most of the commentators here condemming this act are men! And by the way rape does not happen only in Africa.

[Hazbara]

You guys have actually lost it.
You take a non story of a rag of a newspaper that serves very few fringe readers And you run with it like sheep with blinders on.

This has more to do with who the posters really are.

A rabid crowd blinded by hate without an inkling of the truth or reality.

Get a life.

[phute]

If you bother to read the posts you would be hard pressed to find a rabid crowd blinded by hate as you put it - but a well informed set of posters with perfectly valid views.
Enough with your insults - or is that all you can resort to when you don't like the opinion of others?

[unkn1]

Doesn't hazbara mean progaganda in hebrew?

[who38]

Well, he certainly wouldn't use Yiddish.

[bigbluenat4]

The point being that fundamentalists Are every where, Do you think that the way women are treated by Ultra-Orthodox Muslims is any different? For that matter the way women are treated in ultra-Orthodox Christianity. Women are people, just like everyone else, They should be treated as such.

[messy]

Ultra-Orthodox Muslims are far, far worse.

[youvegot2bekidding]

'A rabid crowd blinded by hate without an inkling of the truth or reality.'

Really - that's what you're reading into these comments?

That says more about who you really are.

[mollymac]

Really Hazbara? Really?

[tllearner]

Israel is a theocracy, what do you expect.