Haredi PR - Now With A Smile!

Anyone watching the news in Israel over the last few weeks, must be aware that the Haredi community has become the national punching bag. I think the highlight for me, was an interview in the prime time news with a Haredi rabbi trying to explain that when the Hassid spat at a woman in Beit Shemesh - he wasn't trying to be rude, it was just an involuntary reaction of a display of disgust at her immodest dress.

I was therefore somewhat happy to see these instructions for Haredim, how to react to media crews travelling in Beit Shemesh:

Rough Translation:

Let us warn the elders and the youth, spread it to your friends, wife to her friend, that it is recommended and right not to aid and not to answer questions from the media. You don't have to provoke against them, because from their perspective it is a "Good Show" for their ongoing campaign against us. Therefore, answer any queries directed at you:
"No thanks (With a smile), we don't want to be interviewed".It should be stressed that in Beit Shemesh there are public officials that can represent correctly the views of the public. SOmetimes they choose not to respond, and when they do, they have the legal tools to make sure their response is quoted in full. 

The hopeful part is that they chose to add the words "with a smile" in the response.

HT: ICE (an Israeli PR portal)