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Prof. Gavison to resolve Israeli 'Jewish-Democratic' issue
Noam (Dabul) Dvir
Published: 20.08.13, 09:41
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10 Talkbacks for this article
1. The question
Abraham Nachmias ,   Petach Tikva IL   (08.20.13)
The question is what happens when there is a conflict between being Jewish and being democratic, There are many democratic countries in the world, but there is only ONE Jewish country!
2. # 1
Mendoza ,   Tel-Aviv, Israel   (08.20.13)
There should be absolutely no conflict, its one or the other. Religion has no place in politics.
3. # 2
Jules   (08.20.13)
Not all people of the Jewish origin are deeply religious. There are many just observing the traditions and holidays; also, there are many atheists.
4. Can't have "constitutional provision" with no constitution!
Brian Cohen ,   Judean Peoples Front   (08.20.13)
More legal mumbo jumbo from Livni and Gavison, whose credentials are dubious given that ACRI has morphed into a Palestinian advocacy group, with Israeli civil rights as only its second or third priority. To "constitutionally anchor" anchor anything, you need a constitution - and that we clearly do not have. More lawyers pulling illegal rabbits out of their hats.
5. The idea is good but will never fly.
David ,   The Galilee, Israel   (08.20.13)
The population of Israel in 2008 was Jewish 75.6%, Muslim 16.9%, Christian 2%, Druze 1.7%, other 3.8%. So about 25% or more of the people are not Jewish. Then you have a part of the "Jewish" population who are "Jews" under the Law of Return but "Non-Jews" under Rabbinical Law and cannot marry Jews in Israel. Now you are getting close to 30% of the population not being Jewish but live in the Jewish Democratic State. Add to this the Secular Jewish population who regard Judaism as secondary to being an Zionist Israelis, the percentage is higher. The problem is probably even bigger than the Israel-Palestinian one and will divide the country even more than the Gaza Withdrawal or any further land settlement with the Palestinians. Maybe Israel should be the Democratic Zionist State of Israel. This definition would certainly fit most people who believe in the principles of Zionism that this country was founded on.
6. Reply to number 2. Mendoz. Religion and politics
Akiva ,   NYC   (08.20.13)
If you studied American elections and politics you would see how much voters are influenced by religious issues. Political issues worldwide like abortion and euthanasia or male on male marriage have strong religious input. People are holistic. You can't really separate religious values from political values.
7. Dont we have better things to spend our money on?
Jrebecca ,   Modiin   (08.20.13)
We dont even have a constitution - so why waste money on a constitutional provision. And what makes Ruth Gavison the only expert on the subject.
8. 5. David from the Galilee
Danny ,   London England   (08.20.13)
We may be on different wavelengths, but I don't see the conflict. A Jewish state includes Shabbat and Chagim as part of its calendar, just as Christian countries include Sunday and Christian holidays. A Jewish state uses Hebrew as one of its official languages, just as English is one of the official languages in the USA, alongside Spanish[?] A Jewish state recognises Halachic Jewish marriage, divorce and conversion for Jews and Muslim and Christian alternatives for Muslims and Christians. This leaves the question of civil marriage. A Jewish state incorporates basic Jewish values and history in Jewish schools, allowing Muslims and Christians to incorporate their values into their schools. No one is suggesting a Jewish state requires married women to cover their hair or Jewish men to don tefillin every wekday morning. One's private life remains private as at present in most Western societies.
9. Akiva ,
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (08.20.13)
I think that # 2 means that we should have a separation between state and religion . Here in Israel we have religious parties , some who receive their directives from a rabbi , their "spiritual boss" . I don't think that in the USA a high religious leader will tell a party what to do .
10. Constitution
bill ,   Skokie USA   (08.20.13)
Israel needs to formulate a complete constsitution as part of the peace process in case the one state solution turns into the only solution. True peace woiuld be the One State solution sharing the land. It is the only way both sides can claim that they got everything they wanted from river to Sea. The rebuilding of the Temple should also be part of this equation. The right of return would apply to both peoples. Everyone could build and live wherever they choose. Really it's the only solution that makes sense and is doable.
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