Rabbi Aharon Butbul, a prominent Sephardic religious leader, has strongly criticized the Ashkenazi haredi community for its attitude toward inter-ethnic marriages. In a candid radio interview, Rabbi Butbul labeled the Ashkenazi haredi public as 'racist' and asserted that this reality cannot be ignored. He contrasted this with other religious groups, stating that the Religious Zionist and Chabad communities have made progress in overcoming such prejudices. Rabbi Butbul lamented that the haredi sector remains entrenched in outdated views on ethnic integration.