Be More Jewish - Rising From The Ashes!

PODCAST (10min) - Future Israel

For Israeli's, October 7 2023 changed everything! So shocking were the events of terror that the longest war in Israel's history has since ensued. Sentiments of shock, sadness and anger generated mixed emotional responses from a nation burying their dead and dealing with the day to day realities of war. Within a few weeks, citizens of Israel, secular, religious, left and right, concluded that the Two State Solution was dead. Such was their unusually unified resolve that by July 2024 the Knesset unanimously passed a resolution outright rejecting Palestinian statehood.

After 60 years of pro-Palestinian propaganda, that accentuated Israel's political divide over land, for the benefit of non-Israeli citizens and residents, October 7 birthed the unambiguous, uncompromising Sovereign Jewish State of Israel. In the absence of territorial controversies, with the exception of a few revival attempts led by former Prime Ministers Olmert and Barak, the overwhelming national 'dinner table' debate has swung toward the future of Israel's national identity. One day it may be argued that the debate about Judicial Reform, preceding October 7, was a precursor that ultimately led the nation to resolve its identity crisis. 

It is glaringly obvious that religious nationalists, serving in the army, have suffered more deaths and injuries in the war than any other representative group. That fact has not been lost on anyone. On the front lines, their commitment, dedication and self sacrifice is increasingly apparent and appreciated, yet their representation in the higher echelons of Israel's military machine are few.  But, the old guard will yield and religious nationalists will eventually obtain more control. 

The shift in the Defense Force rank and file reflects changes taking place at every level of society.  Participation rates among ultra orthodox Haredi communities will improve, but religious nationalists are fully engaged. In the past 7 years ultra secular communities have lost representative power to ultra religious nationalist groups. The last bastion of secular resistance may eventually come from the air force where members, especially elite pilots, are predominantly secular. 

For secular Israeli's uncertainty abounds, but the demographic sands are shifting fast and transition of authority is inevitable. So, what will a future Israel look like? In the absence of territorial concessions, to untrustworthy neighbors, all roads lead to Israel securing its ‘river to the sea’ land. As the idea of 'Palestine' fades, Arab documented aliens will demand they transition to Israeli residency and residents to citizenship. No doubt this will threaten Israel's present, comfortable Jewish dominance.

The multi decade process described above must first provide Jews secure, permanent sovereign power over their indigenous land of Israel. Only legislative restructure and constitution can guarantee the future Jewish State of Israel from dilution to Arabs presently living under the last vestiges of Palestinian Authority. Here we return to the dinner table debate to illustrate how this may work.

The religious who are naturally more comfortable with their Rabbinical authorities, are infiltrating the echelons of defense and government. To resolve the impasse of judicial reform, in the face of an intransigent Supreme Court, religious nationals are being pressured to reform government. Part of that reform exposes the differences between religious nationals and Haredim for control over Israel's religious courts and its brand of orthodoxy. This emphasizes The Religious Ministry where control over the presently mandated Electoral Committee for National Rabbinical representation in cities of Israel sits.

The Electoral Committee for Rabbis of Israel dates back to foundation and is the States only other mandated election beside municipalities and the Knesset. Rabbinical reform in Israel has also become a target of more liberal groups and those intent on Jewish law being interpreted to practically accommodate the needs of secular society. 

Rabbinical reform, targeted, by referendum, to modify the electoral legislative framework of Rabbi's, could conceivably catapult elected Rabbis into a newly established upper house of government. Such a case would immediately elevate the Rabbinical court of Israel. By this legislative reformation an upper house of elected Rabbi's would assume the present authority of the Prime Minister's cabinet to approve new laws drafted by the Knesset. 

Under this scenario the Rabbinical upper house would exclusively sign off on any draft law introduced by the elected members of the Knesset. This framework, alone would guarantee Israel's Jewish sovereignty. A Rabbinical upper house of the Knesset, that was sympathetic to the nations religious court, would mitigate the present judicial reform impasse at the Supreme Court. Finally such a representative body would establish the permanent state of Jewish Sovereignty, a final form of government in readiness for the anointment of a King and building of Israel's final, permanent temple in Jerusalem. May the pomp and ceremony begin, BezH" soon!

 

     

 

 

 

 

Israel 's Point Of No Return!

...then it was Jerusalem Day. Yeshiva students bussed in, kids gathered in parks, families, tourists, flags and song. Walking, as they have done in previous years, Minister of Internal Security Itamar Ben Gvir and Deputy Mayor Arieh King. If this were a political rally, fake news would have claimed 100,000+ attended, but it was not. Around 40,000 came to express gratitude, celebrating the miracle of Israel's rapid victory in June 1967 that reunited Jerusalem with its Jewish people. 

In stark contrast some 60,000 people are displaced from their homes, living in temporary accommodations without knowing when they will return. Others are anxious presently living in a state of despair that their lives will be impacted by future religious governments not aligned with their lifestyle. 

Since Simchat Torah, October 7, public opinion about military and political leadership has moved from from disdain to despair. Confidence was shattered as it became abundantly clear that Israel's attempt, over the past 20 years, to thwart foreign and local enemies has failed. Israel's divisive political crisis, over Judicial Reform, has been subdued by its existential and leadership crisis as the nation was thrust  into a complex war including in the broader Jewish world. 

In business meetings, on the train, bus, or in daily traffic, running errands, transporting kids, exercise or gainful enjoyment feels like oblivion, knowing that soldiers are sacrificing their lives to benefit the nation. Feeling useless and the inevitable bad news brings on a certain guilt, but Israeli's are stoic, they confront facts, grieve loss, do more and march on relentless. 

Meanwhile, Israel's activist political organizations are shifting emphasis from hostages to anti-government rhetoric, years in advance of the next scheduled election. Their hope; to lure offshore state actors and Jews into their desired political realm. To that end Anti-government protest organizations like Hofshi Israel, for Benny Gantz Blue and White party, estimated more than 150,000 people attended their June 22 rally, calling it the biggest since the Gaza war began. Although Israelis treat these impossible numbers with disdain, Iranian and Arab opposition media promote them to a naive, sheepish world to develop the perception of a fractioned Israel.

The demographic tipping point toward more religious representation in Israel's security, military and government has already occurred. It is a statistical point from which there is no return yet some would prefer to control their destiny. To that Prime Minister Netanyahu recently stated Israel is a “country with an army, not an army with a country” which was followed by a decision to ban Ehud Barak from giving his annual address to senior officers of Israel's Defense Force. This, combined with Benny Gantz departure from the War Cabinet indicates the political war is warming up.

Before the tragic events of October 2023, opposition to reform was concentrated, intense and momentous. Since that time many less controversial reforms have progressed into law. This long existential war, the passage of time and weaponization of the country's first National Guard, under the one-time expenditure and direction of Internal Security Minister Ben Gvir, has permanently reversed the real risk of a civil war. Now, the forthcoming USA elections will bear significantly on the challenge that lies ahead. One way or another, the majority of Israeli's have been reminded that they stand alone, responsible for themselves, their people, their nation and their land - from the river to the sea! 

 

 

  

 

Two State Impossibility!

Corruption, virulent orators and criminals

Most people governed by the Palestinian Authority or Hamas are not indigenous nor do they share common nationhood. The significant majority descend from Arab immigrant laborers who came from Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon. There are smaller representations from prior to 1948, but most trace their roots to indigenous tribes of other countries. 

These mixed clans were the Arab underclass, vulnerable to corrupt or criminal gang leaders who exploited their absent nationhood with disastrous affect. Since the 1970's rival quasi-political groups, that became Fattah and Hamas, sold themselves as political parties that could establish and lead a cohesive, prosperous Palestinian nation. As we know that did not occur, most of their rhetoric promoted self-serving opportunities for individual economic gain at the people's expense.

The failure to self-govern opened the door to virulent orators, benevolent dictators and criminals who exploited global antisemitism or anti-Israel sentiment to deflect abstract failure, blame Israel and raise funds for the so called anti-Jew 'Palestinian cause' and enrich themselves. Despite support of global liberal democracies, these Arabs have not elected representatives for more than 15 years, yet sponsorship from nations has been abundant. Not surprisingly western nations compromised their long upheld democratic values and joined others to back anti-Zionist protagonists who suppressed the voices of these disparate Arab clans under the thin Palestinian veil. 

Since the late 1970's Fattah and Hamas leaders, of these 4 million broken people, pushed the armed struggle against Israel to the front of their radicalized political agenda's. The events of Simchat Torah 5784 (October 7, 2023) brought the ugly reality of 'Palestinian' people to a shocking head and apparent realization. Now, Israel has been forced to expand its active responsibility for the security of its citizens and resident aliens, between the river and the sea. 

Israeli hostages, presently captive in Gaza, are mostly from liberal Kibbutz families of the South. Many have worked tirelessly over decades to assist Gaza residents to gain work opportunities in Israel. Now those families are desperately trying to shift their nations priority to the plight of loved ones, against the nations preferred priority to defeat Hamas. These families will be politically exploited as globalists fund  sponsorship of more domestic unrest and bring Israelis to accept the priority of hostages over destruction of Hamas. 

The so called nation of "Palestinian People" does not exist and never will, but the plight of the Arabs who presently live under these corrupt authorities must be presented with options for better lives. Despite attempts by foreign actors to recognize a Palestinian state, Israel will ultimately offer residents pathway to status as an Israeli resident alien followed by a multi-year probationary citizenship and ultimately citizenship to the United nation of Israel.

Now Israel is, for the first time, facing its toughest challenge, rising anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism and anti Israel pressures. It will face rising domestic security costs and heightened domestic rhetoric while it comprehends and prepares for a secure, one state future in which Jewish Sovereignty, from the river to the sea, will finally be constitutionally guaranteed by the equivalent of a Jewish senate. 

The New, Better Israel

MK Simcha Rothman,
 Chairman of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee

Israeli disunity and distress leading up to the Simchat Torah 5783 (October 7, 2023) attack parallels ancient events. To understand these I provide some background.

The holiday of our Redemption is commonly known as Passover or Pesach and the traditional meal ends with participants saying: “Next Year in Jerusalem”. That would be ok, unless your dinner happens to be located in Jerusalem, where all attendees sing out the same ‘Next year in Jerusalem’. Seems strange doesn’t it? 

The universal tradition renders it a personal statement. Regardless of location, each attendee has not realized their fullest redemption from self imposed exile, perhaps it will be, next year.

The traditional Seder dinner focuses on the story of Israel’s exodus from Egypt, in Hebrew Mitzrayim. The word rendered as: M-tZ-R-Y-M can be segmented as Ma-tZ-eR Ya-M, translated as ‘Sea of Distress’. In other words, in Egypt, Israel was drowning in a Sea of Distress. 

Israelite enslavement started under an Egyptian Pharoah whose ministers grew anxious that Israel's flourishing population posed a civil threat that could topple their regime. The antidote was a birth control decree that banned male babies, requiring them to be killed at birth. This exacerbated the national distress for millions of Israelites as Egyptian authorities pursued pregnant mothers. 

The Bible explains this is the time that Moses was born, rescued and raised in the palace of Pharaoh. When he was older he became incensed by an Egyptian taskmasters abuse of an Israelite woman and subsequent beating of her husband. Moses struck out and killed the Egyptian.

Had it not been for Israelite disunity Moses could have triggered the rebellion Egyptians feared most. Instead the victim blamed Moses for highlighting their plight. accused him of being a self-appointed judge and reported his action to the authorities. Moses fled and Israel's torturous conditions prevailed.

Now, our babies have been dismembered, murdered, kidnapped, as hostages our woman raped and our men beaten. Is this the result of our Israelite disunity, our national disorder that appears to parallel events in Egypt? On Simchat Torah the disunity was brought to a head. Now Israel has choices to make, either prolong the suffering, like it was in Egypt, or come to the full behavioral realization that our redemption moment has arrived. Take it or leave it. 

In the words of MK Simcha Rothman, chairman of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee: "When the war is over, we will all be different. Because we learned something. My camp created a great deal of fear in people and did not do enough to reduce the fear. In the future, I will do everything not to pry into the other side's wounds in a manner that would make them unable to listen".

This time we must be different, politics has its place as it must, but we are above that and this is our moment to shine! 

We must not allow this holy day to be denigrated by calling it 10/7, 7/10 or the October 7 massacre. Instead, in honor to those who have sacrificed the most, we must elevate it to the highest spiritual order. It is Israel's calling, its Simchat Torah Redemption - soon in Jerusalem! 

Deep Healing From A Security Disaster

Ehud Barak’s IDF ‘old guard’ assaulted and recruited left wing IDF commanders reducing their desire, will, aptitude and moral clarity to immediately respond to critical security signals. On that tragic Simchat Torah day the apathetic, tardy IDF response will, in retrospect, be judged heinous, bordering treason, for some senior officers.

Against the backdrop of judicial reform, Lapid’s social revolt breathed life into Barak’s cessation by coup d’etat that extrinsically graded less important regions, neighborhoods, citizens and people of Israel. That moral corruption on top of the Supreme Court’s conflict with its non-governable state systematically eroded the security fabric of Israel’s society.

Events have now cast the dye for Israeli’s. The risk to security ineptitude is now far greater than any benefit egregious, revolutionary, anti-government, political insurrection can offer them. The behavior of revolt is off the table and will not be tolerated by the Israeli regime being defined by these events.

Two Supreme Court decisions over the past few days have set new precedent for the courts 'hands off government' stance. Whether they maintain that standard is yet to be seen, but the message is being delivered and people in high places will be cautious, tentative even anxious about a future in which the mechanism of government are no longer subject to the whims of the political elite.

Tel Aviv is the most ‘ethnically cleansed’ city in Israel, a place where few Arabs are employed, relative to population. The angry left, who only a few months back led revolt against the rising religious are now fighting side-by-side with their brothers coming to the fast realization that ethnic sentiments ought to be redirected to their common security insurrections including from more broadly defined terrorism.

One can only hope this has forged a new political reality in which the left, right, religious and secular elevate an uncompromising security ideal to new heights across all walks of Israeli, its neighboring and global societal security interests.

The months ahead will be difficult, but the decades, after this painful period, will no doubt be brighter than ever.

The Israel vs Palestine Debate

If you ever found yourself in the hotly contested debate about occupation in Israel, you probably had to make a fight or flight decision to jump in, raise your blood pressure and argue your point or get out with your emotions in check. The subject seems to attract people who are motivated for many different reasons, none of which make this thorny subject any easier to navigate. For the purpose of this article lets just assume you are going to stay and argue. Therefore, given the diverse supercharged field, I highly suggest you do your homework and always take the offensive, you're going to need it.

In September 1970 Jordan's King declared a state of military rule to thwart an attempt to overthrow him. Following the brutal deaths and expulsion of thousands of Jordanian Fatah revolutionary fighters, the Black September organization was formed. In 1972 Black September raised their international awareness when they killed two and kidnapped nine members of the Israeli Olympic team in Munich. Under the banner of Fatah the, 10 year old, Palestinian Liberation Organization cooperated with Black September operatives and turned their attention toward domestic Israel.

By the early eighties there were few walls, barriers or fences between Jews, Arabs and Christians living in Israel. Until the Oslo Accords in 1993, life was a 'box of chocolates'. Kids would cross roads, streams and wide, open fields riding their bikes through each others neighborhoods. Adult's would shop in each others villages or markets and communities would happily coexist. Then, in the positioning and lead up to Oslo, the official business got underway and in everyone's way!

Oslo Accords

I'd like to reflect on this history, but there seems little point because the positions and vested interests of debaters, on either side, are mostly intransigent. Instead I'm going to focus and equip you with the tool that can direct the argument at the 'box of chocolates' in an attempt to restore elements of that once prosperous condition.

In 2021, Israel's per capita GDP  was $52,000 vs $3700 for those living under Palestinian Authority (PA) control. The vast gap will never be narrowed by the PA because Israel's natural gas supply, to its domestic market, has significantly improved its economic efficiency. Gas, defense and dominant technology exports ensure its future economic performance will expand the gap at a faster rate. The charts below illustrate the acceleration of Israel's vs. PA per capita GDP over the past decade. 

Israeli Government per capita GDP $52,000

Palestinian Authority per capita GDP $3700

What does this all mean? People living under the PA are severely disadvantaged. The gap is inexcusable! By comparison landlocked Swaziland's 2021 per capita GDP was $3900. But belligerent, authoritarian political policies of PA leaders dissuade Israel from helping to restore the peoples advantage. Fearing electoral reprisal from Fatah's rival Hamas (Gaza), the PA have not held elections for 16 years. Corruption and organized crime have become rife as the leadership struggle continues in the streets. With the impending death of PA leader Mahmoud Abbas, change may usher in new hope that prosperity can be restored, but the chances are slim. 

Israel is the primary enabler of these authoritarian leaders who rule over people trapped by PA corruption, fear and the raw struggle for gang power. Israel must fill the void by formulating and offering the more prosperous alternative, one that will free people under the PA and weaken the grip of Fatah. Israel's direction and objective must support autonomous, elected city councils, provide umbrella economic oversight, policy coordination, administrative agreement, security coordination, infrastructure support, alien privilege, residency and ultimately full Israeli citizenship, for those who qualify and want it. In process and during progress toward these objectives, the walls and separation fences must come down. 

Prosperity for residents under the PA is their superior and primarily, desired objective. This sentiment will not be shared by terrorists and criminals who instill fear through which they silence opposition to command unchallenged media attention. However, Israel's surprise, genuine offer to integrate residents under the PA will no doubt throw the underworld into disarray. This is the right offer, and argument, because prosperity of all people is the only universal argument, after all everyone wants a 'box of chocolates'. 

And, if you're wondering how Israel will deal with such a proposition, I suggest you read this... 

 

 

 

   

A Judicial Reform Rethink.

Jerusalem

Tel Aviv

75 years is but a fleeting moment for indigenous Israel. The complex nation was formally established more than 3300 years ago and its rituals emanate from ancestors a thousand years before that. Following the Holocaust, over the past 75 years, the instinct for survival inspired some communities to adopt extreme practices like religious isolation or secular assimilation. These emotive responses will dissipate to shape a future that is more true to its origin. Trust between those living at the extremes must be restored in order that the democratically elected representatives obtain the confidence of their electorates to govern authoritatively.

Israel is being besieged by an impassioned people intent on determining their destiny. The political crisis of 2018-2022 felled 5 successive coalition governments each time their ill-fated legislative bills exposed a lack of confidence. Finally the 2022/23 Netanyahu government obtained a sufficient majority to confidently pass legislation. The crisis marked a demographic tipping point, a shift to a more religious, conservative constituency that finally produced the robust majority. It also reflects on Israel's more liberal, less religious constituents who face very uncertain futures.

Hopeless liberals must reconsider their approach and support political personalities that adopt new strategies to win their favor, including from religious liberals. Many liberal bastions in foreign countries have been forced to make similar transitions to the center. However, in Israel the new strength of religious constituents is a dimension that has caused liberal leaders, who are less religious, to panic. How will they win votes from the liberal leaning, less religious constituents to marginalize conservative thinking, orthodox traditionalists? 

Israel is wonderful and miraculous, even the less religious would admit to it. Transforming the nation into a cohesive peace-time unit where people can retain strong, independent views and efficiently function side-by-side is the goal of any democratic society. How Israel will make this transformation could be its' biggest miracle of all!

Israel inherited the abandoned British government framework, it was flawed and immature compared to major democracies. Indigenous to Israel is a long forgotten framework that, more than ever, its' liberal constituents will be inspired to acknowledge and adopt to restore hope and resolve their present political impasse. The State comprises a majority traditional and religious people, but separation of 'Church' and State conflicts with its legislated, religious, orthodox implementation of Biblical-Rabbinic law that exposes societal division. American Reform and Liberal (or US Conservative) Jewish communities have also joined the political struggle for a less-religious Israeli state. 

Presently the Electoral College for Rabbinical representations of each Israeli city is an indigenously inspired institution that was bolted on after the formation of the State of Israel. Inherent in its mix of liberal (minded) and conservative Rabbis, of communities, is their potential and desire to earn more authority, from both political sides of the Jewish constituency. Such a representative achievement, through a single religious institution, would enable these representative Rabbis to gain community-wide authority such that adoption or modification of ancient Talmudic interpretations in Jewish and national law may better unite Jewish society in Israel. 

A modern, national extra-judicial body may be favored to represent societal views, establish customs and interpret or approve new laws that bring its indigenous nation up to date and keep it there. Liberal minded politicians and communities will be inspired and find it necessary to embrace indigenous Israel to advance this authority into the political realm. Through liberal leaning religious leadership they would reach new constituents and obtain political clarity that aligns with Israel's ancient system for a common identity. 

With support of liberal and conservative constituents, Mayors of Israel's cities, the Electoral College for City Rabbis and Religious Minster will become motivated and directed to advance these new representatives into the framework for government, perhaps the equivalent of a senate or upper house. 

Historically a similar authority was vested in a Sanhedrin, but for a political body to achieve the extra-judicial authority of Sanhedrin it would require respect and regard of Jews worldwide. The most religious, Hareidim prefer the status quo, rarely do Hareidi Rabbis compete for electoral representation to Israel’s city’s. However, they do participate in general elections and hold numerous powerful seats in the government. Once the institution of City Rabbis progresses from its present benign character to a more substantive arm of government, no doubt the Hareidim will compete for proportional representation. 

If I leaned left and less religious I would embrace the struggle to liberalize orthodoxy, if I leaned right and more religious I would struggle for religious authority. The Electoral College for City Rabbis is the best venue to politically define a modern, balanced religious authority that would be acceptable to world Jewry, through which religious and secular laws of Israel can ultimately converge so that the Sovereignty of Jewish Israel can be guaranteed and all people represented and governed under one body of law for all.