Q&A: Religious Zionism and the Left
Religious Zionism and the Left
Question
It is well known how deeply the newspaper Haaretz detests Religious Zionism. I would be glad to hear what you think about their main claims: a. In recent years, extreme messianic elements have taken over Religious Zionism, and as of today they are the sector with the greatest potential for religious coercion and for turning the state into a state governed by Jewish law. b. They are the most racist sector in the country, a sector most of which supports transfer and Jewish supremacy. Thank you, and happy Passover.
Answer
One of the problems with hatred is that you attribute everything to the person you hate, and blame him for everything he does, whether good or bad. Haaretz persecutes religious people and Zionism over everything, without making any distinction between good and bad. It is an anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist newspaper in every respect.
I too have criticism of the takeover of Religious Zionism by extreme elements, but that does not prevent me from also seeing good things and from seeing not only bad there. It does not prevent me from seeing that there are legitimate steps and positions, and illegitimate ones.
Take an example from your own words. You assume, of course, that transfer is a bad thing. I disagree. In my view, it is a necessary and proper step, except that unfortunately it is not practical. The automatic rejection of transfer (as opposed to a reasoned, substantive rejection) is the result of brainwashing of the sort done by Haaretz. Exactly like its attitude toward abortions and the rest of Haaretz’s articles of faith. It too has been taken over by extreme elements, just like Religious Zionism.
As for religious people, I agree that it persecutes them, but regarding Zionism that isn’t true. Most of the readers and writers (except for Gideon Levy, Amira Hass, Rogel Alpher, and a few Arab guest writers, but overall 70 percent I would say) actually see themselves as much more Zionist than the rest of society. They simply argue that Religious Zionism, the Haredim, and the right in general are destroying the Zionist vision, which is basically a state without any religious features at all—and very democratic, of course (though naturally they have different standards of democracy).