What does it mean to be a Jewish state? 
10 November 2022

The results of the elections in Israel last week have provoked a strong debate within Israeli society (and the Jewish world generally) about what it means to be a “Jewish” state. 
 
The rise of the “National religious” party led by Ben-Gvir and Smotritch - and their likely inclusion in the soon-to-be-formed Israeli government under leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu – has caused many to be concerned that strong defence of the Jewish character of the nation will result in oppression of the non-Jewish communities. 
 
This is an old debate. It is interesting, for example, to recall that the Balfour declaration (1917) and Mandate for Palestine (1992) anticipated this dilemma. While calling for the re-establishment of a homeland for the Jewish people in Palestine, they also stated that “nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine.”
 
The truth is that the Jewish people have always been deeply conscious of their responsibility and calling not only to have a strong Jewish identity, but also to look after others. 
 
In fact, it may be argued the latter is the essence of the former. True Judaism is about being a blessing and light to the nations. 
 
Indeed, while there have always been extremists, the vast majority of Jews simply want to live in peace and harmony with the non-Jews in the land. And Israel, while not perfect, is a strong democracy governed by the rule of law. The vigorous internal debate about the separation of powers is sign of this, not evidence of the opposite.   
 
It is wrong to criticize the people of Israel for the outcome of these elections. The people of Israel will work out a new government, and there is no doubt that, while there is a clear call to enforce strong internal and external security measures, the government will also be sensitive of the need to respect and integrate the Arab communities in the land. 

We should allow the Israeli democratic system to play itself out before making unnecessary criticisms or predictions of disaster - see the very balanced article by Elliott Abrams on this issue.
 
Our task as Gentiles outside the land is to pray for the people of Israel in the coming period, and especially for its leaders - that those who are forming the new government will be led by the Spirit of unity, discernment and love.  

What to think about Religious Zionists, Netanyahu, and tales of doomsday

Elliott Abrams at Times of Israel: "There is a striking parallel between the comments being heard from the left in the United States about the meaning of a possible Republican victory November 8th, and from the left in the United States—as much as or more than in Israel—about the meaning of the victory of the right in the Israeli election on November 1st. The meaning, we are told, is the end of democracy."

The End of a Ballot Box Marathon?

Johannes Gerloff writes at c4israel.org: “Itamar Ben Gvir or Bezalel Smotritch (“Religious Zionism”) are unquestionably the big winners of this election, with an increase of eight members of Knesset. How partly racist or homophobic statements are translated into Israeli daily politics will be interesting. The same applies to the weight of the ultra-Orthodox, who on the one hand question English and mathematics as compulsory school subjects, but whose women at the same time massively push into the IT industry as employees.”

Netanyahu primed to receive mandate to form gov’t

JNS.org reports: “Likud, Religious Zionism, Shas and United Torah Judaism follow the script by recommending that the Israeli opposition leader be tapped to form the next government, leaving no doubt he will receive the mandate to do so.”

My brethren on the left, give me a chance

Itamar Ben-Gvir writes at JNS.org: “If you listen to what we have to say, you’ll discover that we are all brothers, and that we agree on 90% of the issues.”