by Rav Yitzhak Shilat
Hat tip: Sefton Bergson
Unfortunately, our fears have materialized. Again, there is a draw, again, a complicated situation and frustration. Everyone knows that a fifth election cycle is not the solution.
A few months ago, I published a short article in Makor Rishon, where I called for changes in Israel’s form of governance and that this this important issue should be brought to the people for a decision.
About a month afterward, I expanded on my remarks in another article, “In Praise of the Presidency”, where I began by writing: “Out of heavy concern that this time too, we might find ourselves in a situation without a clear winner, and governmental paralysis, I would like to speak in favor of a change in method, from a Torah perspective”.
Unfortunately, our fears have come true. Again, there is no clear winner, again there is a complicated situation and again, frustration. Everyone knows that a fifth election cycle is not the solution. Those who admire Netanyahu will not abandon him and those who hate him will continue not to accept him. The demon of dispute will continue to dance, waste the public funds on more elections and bring about profound, continuing demoralization among the people.
As someone who voted in these elections for the Religious Zionist party, I would like to suggest to the public representatives to join in a coalition that will include Mansour Abbas’ party. Here are my reasons”:
1. We should see this situation as temporary, and include in the coalition guidelines an unequivocal demand to bring about serious changes in Israel’s system of government, to be submitted to the people for a decision. The necessary changes are: increasing the power and efficacy of the executive branch, changing the method of elections to the legislature by combining the element of personal elections and the proper balance between legislative and judiciary powers. I recommend that you read about the vital need for these changes, among other things, in the article by Prof. Uriel Reichman on this subject.
2. It is not a contradiction of values of Torah values for a non-Jewish minority in our land to have civil rights.
3. Mansour Abbas conveys the message of “normalcy”, sobriety and calm. Israel’s defense policy will not change as a result of his joining the coalition.
4. Any cooperation and trusting relationship with an Islamic party will be a positive contribution to our relations with the Arab world in general.
5. We need not imagine this to be a step toward a “messianic era”, but the fact that it is a religious party has a certain potential toward moderation and a desirable inter-religious rapprochement between Judaism and Islam, in the spirit of the Rambam at the end of his Law of the Kings.
Translated from Hebrew by Sally Zahav
Rav Yitzhak Shilat
Source: https://www.inn.co.il/news/472240
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