Michael Warschawski, The Electronic Intifada, 16 January 2008
"It is customary to say that the Israeli daily Haaretz is a progressive newspaper. However, its progressive character is generally nowhere to be seen when Israel initiates a war against one of its neighbors -- its opposition to the previous two wars came only after the newspaper provided support to the policies of the government and the military -- or abuses against the Palestinian people. However, when dealing with matters of religion, and particularly hatred of the religious, the progressiveness of Haaretz, its editors and community of readers, is endless.
In an op-ed from 27 December, the writers rail against the "ultra-orthodox blockade" that prevents the conversion of hundreds of thousands of new immigrants from the former Soviet Union: "the ultra-orthodox rabbis are pressuring and threatening the government, and causing intentional difficulties for the rabbinical courts, which are acting under state authority. The ultra-orthodox are truly not interested in additional members joining the chosen people."
This criticism represents a common opinion amongst what is dubbed "the progressive liberal camp" in Israel.
Truly liberal? And indeed progressive?......."
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