Haredi Jews from Mea Shearim area in Jerusalem boycott polls

The Ultra-Orthodox Jerusalem neighbourhood of Mea Shearim is totally devoid of polling stations. Instead, there are posters reading: “NO participation in the impure election for this Knesset”.

Many Haredi here belongs to Neturei Karta group that rejects the idea of a Zionist state. Residents of the neighbourhood live according to strict Ultra-Orthodox customs.

Some Haredi Jews in the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Mea Shearim are boycotting the polls (MEE)

Shai, a Haredi man in his 40s, runs a Jewish gift shop. “I don’t see myself as part of this country. We have our own life here,” he tells MEE.

“I pay my taxes and what do I receive back? Nothing except showing us as monsters and the bad face of Israel.”

Shai says there is a lot of violence against Haredi, but it is ignored by the Israeli media (MEE)

Shai says there is a lot of violence against Haredi, but it is ignored by the Israeli media. “See how much charity work we do here? No one goes hungry, but they treat us like animals."