Discussing repeal of Core Curriculum law, MK Yair Lapid adamant he has no hate for haredim in his heart; 'not everyone who disagrees hates'.

Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid emphatically denied on Thursday claims his efforts to require core curriculum courses in haredi schools were rooted in a sense of malice towards the haredi sector.

In an interview with the haredi Kol Hai radio this morning (Thursday), he expressed his exasperation with the persistent claims that he "hates haredim".

"You can't discuss any issue in this country without being accused of hatred," Lapid protested.

The conversation then turned to the repeal of the Core Curriculum law, that passed a first reading in the Knesset this week. "I would love to understand, maybe you can explain to me, how there can be a problem with the government of Israel simply saying 'we will only give funding to those schools who teach the Core Curriculum. Is it not reasonable that schools who take state money should be required to teach the Core Curriculum?"

MK Lapid claims that during his stint as Finance Minister in the previous government he had allocated significant funds to helping haredi at-risk youth. "We have a society here and it has to work together to help every child in this country, Arab, haredi and secular. I am committed to this society and I'm committed to give it my all. Study after study shows that haredim have serious trouble integrating into the workforce."

Lapid added, "is it a good solution for us to yell 'they hate us!' every time we have an argument about principles? Ask [Deputy Interior Minsiter] Meshulam Nahari (Shas) who gave him the most money for haredi youth."

The Yesh Atid head said he's willing to do whatever it takes to prove that he has absolutely no hatred for haredim: "Bring a polygraph over here to the studio and test me to see if I hate haredim or not. I don't hate any Jew in the world. Not everyone who disagrees with them hates them. But make sure to bring [United Torah Judaism's Ya'akov] Litzman] for a polygraph test as well," he added.