Smotrich's Halachic state call kills his own justice ministry aspirations
Analysis: The far-right MK's remarks about the need for biblical law prompts Netanyahu to issue statements through third party sources, suggesting the controversial lawmaker can 'forget about the justice portfolio'
Smotrich, who is second in the United Right party, on Monday said the ancient biblical system of law will be adjusted for modern times, promising that "there will be no stoning for violations of Shabbat … It is my intention that the State of Israel is ultimately run according to the Torah. That is how it should be in a Jewish state," the 39-year-old lawmaker told Israel Radio.
“Smotrich can now forget about the justice portfolio. After the comments he made, Netanyahu will not allow him to serve as justice minister," said one associate to prime minister. The current candidates for the position apparently are ministers Ze'ev Elkin and Ofir Akunis, as well as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Hotovely.
If there is something that frightens the secular-right or traditional public, it's the talk of religious coercion and Halachic state. Avigdor Liberman, the Chairman of Yisrael Beytenu - the last secular right-wing party standing as far as Liberman is concerned - didn’t miss an opportunity to add fuel to the fire. In fact, Smotrich’s remarks fell right into Liberman's lap, who lead the charge against the contentious lawmaker.
"Listen to what Smotrich - a candidate for the justice minister post - has said. This is no longer just a comment of a delusional hilltop boy, but a statement of intent, he wants a Halachic state,” he said.
The last thing Netanyahu needs ahead of the September 17 elections is the outrage of the voters from the former Soviet Union, who fear precisely what Liberman warned them about when he labeled the prime minister’s current political partners as “a coalition of Halachic state.”
Likud sources say Netanyahu has decided to invest enormous resources in a chase after “the Russian vote” ahead of the national ballot, in order to ease Yisrael Beytenu’s grip on Israel's Russian-speaking population. Smotrich’s comments, therefore, seriously undermine the prime minister’s campaign to win over the largely secular Russian voter.
The Likud officials understand very well the damage of the United Right MK’s remarks, as evidenced by the comments made by Minister Yuval Steinitz at a closed meeting on Monday. "Smotrich's statements are damaging the Likud party and helping Lieberman," said Steinitz. Netanyahu’s response followed shortly after, with the prime minister tweeting: "The State of Israel will not be a Halachic state.”
Smotrich is part of a broader discourse currently taking place in Israeli society about anti-secular atmosphere and religious coercion. For instance, in southern Israel a glass bottle factory is currently being closed down after the ultra-Orthodox declared a boycott due to the factory’s use of manufacturing machines on Shabbat.
In addition, the ultra-Orthodox are demanding that a clause prohibiting construction works on the Yehudit Bridge over Ayalon Highway on Shabbat, be included in the coalition agreement. If that happens, Liberman will throw a party.
The internal struggle within the right-wing bloc is the main factor behind the senior Likud officials’ fear that Netanyahu will once again fail in forming a coalition government after the September vote. The right-wing bloc is so divided that Netanyahu might have to use the help of Labor leader Avi Gabbay or someone similar.
