Intrigued about the future certainty of Jewish sovereignty over Israel? Most Jews retort, often without any real understanding of its implication. They probably mean Israel should never fall into the hands of any non-Jewish group or nation that doesn't identify themselves as Jews. But, how can such an outcome be assured given the democracy Israel’s modern state claims in it’s Basic Law of 1948. Surely a democracy means that people living within a nation’s borders must enjoy an equal right to vote, if so how long will Israel hedge as it defines its "river to the sea" borders?
This thorny question is most perplexing and often the root cause of extreme disagreement among Jews. Some of the most religious claim Israel does not require a state, that Israel is a spiritual ideal defined in the psyche of its people. On the other hand most rely on Israel’s State law and its response to International Law focusing on the physical definition of national borders as determined by the prevailing consensus. The diversity presents the dilemma of a nation seeking a sovereign guarantee for their ideal of a Jewish ‘democratic’ Israel.
Under the two-state-solution, once the dream of Israel’s President Shimon Peres and his supporters, Israel would have been divided into a Jewish and a non-Jewish state under the Palestinian Authority. However, the internationally sponsored idea has met resistance from those that envision a unified state of Israel, a democracy in which some or all citizens have the right to vote. In the midst of the furor, Israel procrastinates as it grapples with the threats this single state poses to its Jewish State ideal.
The pressure exerted on Israel to adopt the two state solution with a partner who is ill defined, ideologically opposed and does not accept Israel’s Jewish status will continue to be formidable. No matter which way Israel’s future population statistics fall, the risk to Jewish sovereignty in a single democratic state is too much for the Israeli electorate to bare. However, giving up security control to an enemy occupying land, not presently annexed by Israel is daunting and impractical. The status quo can only last so long without Israel moving in one direction or the other, but the untenable advance of regional terrorism and rhetoric will be more alarming to Israel's Jewish electorate than the prospect of losing its Jewish majority in a future single state.
Who will guarantee Jewish sovereignty? This question is increasingly serious in the minds of Israel's Jewish constituents. Existing mechanisms within the states legal construct are limited, but there is one which fully satisfies the essential guarantee of Jewish sovereignty. Comparative countries are the United Kingdom, its King and Church of England, Italy with its Vatican and Iran with its Ayatollah. Although some states identify as religious, they do not necessarily base their constitution on religion and swear behind it, most separate church and state. The good news, is that there is a solution to the problem, a model that makes sense, is partially active and works.
Jewish sovereignty, guaranteed by national rabbinical representation in a Senate or Upper House of Israel’s government may be a confronting prospect to many, but the national benefits for all groups are presently misunderstood, therefore overlooked. Whether secular or religious, the vast majority of Israel’s Jewish electorate periodically participate in religious services of a local synagogue. Elected, municipally appointed City Rabbis are nominated by members of these community synagogues and by electoral committee to represent their communal religious interests.
Elected Town Rabbi’s[1] are self-motivated to empower their communities through their electoral framework and elevate it to Israel's national political stage. Rabbinical representation in a bicameral government of a single Jewish state may be difficult to comprehend, but societal acceptance is often orchestrated through grass root participation. Town hall meetings, community activity and representations organized by appointed Town Rabbis and leaders will be hallmarks that signify the success of this future movement. Education and awareness that a sovereign Rabbinical body, elected to the Upper House of Israel's parliament can truly be representative and liberating underlies the ground swell.
Simultaneously, shifting governmental priority from its present emphasis on energy and technology to labor intensive domestic industry is essential to satisfy Israel’s growing constituent underclass. Political parties that prioritize development of sustainable industries capable of employing a significant portion of the unemployed and non-participating[2] workforce will benefit. Israel’s indigenous cultural prerogative, including for the optimal growth of tourism is a principle that will serve the prosperity of Jewish and non-Jewish populations of a single state. This is directly tied to the development of skills[3] directed to economic benefits and ultimately to deliver financial re-distribution to the broader population.
Jewish objectors may struggle to digest such a prospect, a democracy that stacks its constitutional sovereign deck in favor of its Jewish population and its religious leaders. But, the importance of Jewish sovereignty looms so large that the mountain placed over Jewish heads will spur them to embrace non-conventional models inspired by their ancient past.
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