A day-long conference on the role of religious-Zionism in Israel was held yesterday at the Jerusalem-based Israel Democracy Institute. One of the participants, Rabbi Avi Gisser of Ofrah, said that Olmert most definitely had political interests in appearing.
"Everyone does, to some degree," Rabbi Gisser said. "We discussed [the question of whether we should participate] amongst ourselves [religious-Zionist rabbis and leaders] beforehand, some 30 of us, and we realized that though there were definitely political overtones, it was clear to us that when you're invited to speak about the Jewish character of the State of Israel, and the role of Religious-Zionism is placed at the center of the national discourse, then that's the right thing to do."
The day-long summit was entitled, "The Jewish Character of the State of Israel - Religious Zionism as an element motivating national discourse."
Among the topics discussed at length, Rabbi Gisser said, was the importance of finding ways to strengthen public Sabbath observance and the conversion-to-Judaism framework, amidst as wide of a consensus as possible.
Olmert, in his remarks, showed understanding for the religious-Zionist sector - known as the orange camp, after the color chosen to symbolize the struggle against last year's expulsion from Gush Katif and northern Shomron - but also had criticism. He said that we must "strive towards a new definition of Zionism,” though he did not specify what he had in mind.
“We must understand the troubles of the religious Zionist public and find a path for honest and deep discourse with them," Olmert said. This sector is in "deep distress," he said, "because of the public conflict which raised basic questions as to the State’s character and outlook. [These people] dealt with the difficult experience of having to reconcile themselves with the concession of the territories and settlements."
However, he said that one's Zionism cannot be based only on whether or not he supports withdrawals. Olmert noted that "hundreds of thousands of people served in the territories for over 35 years and participated in enforcing Israel’s policies there, despite their wholehearted belief that the State’s actions were erroneous and severely harmed our social tapestry.”
Olmert thus implied that the orange camp must similarly not let the act of the Disengagement affect its feelings towards the State. This, despite the inherent differences between the passive policy of continuing to hold on to territory won in war and the pro-active act of disenfranchising an entire public and thousands of citizens from their homes and lifework.
Olmert described the religious-Zionist sector as one that "lives on the periphery and has felt neglected for years." In response, IsraelNationalRadio's Alex Traiman, a self-described religious-Zionist, commented that he doesn't feel peripheral: "Even citizens living in Judea and Samaria are doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc., working in the center of the country and in the center of Israeli public life..."
Public perception within much of the religious-Zionist public is that Olmert has twice betrayed it: once after he left the office of Mayor of Jerusalem, where he had been staunchly in the right-wing camp, and took on a more left-wing stance upon entering national politics, and again when he became Ariel Sharon's chief ally in promoting the unilateral withdrawal plan of 2005.
Rabbi Gisser said that the conference discussions did not center on practical solutions, "but rather on an investigation of the issues. Throughout the day, however, there was the background tension of Olmert's diplomatic plans - frozen or suspended or whatever they may be at present. Many of us warned clearly of the dangers we feel they present."
Regarding the essential need for religious/secular respect and cooperation, Rabbi Gisser said, "It was clear that the boundaries of Jewish dialogue must be broadened so that we can all find our place in Israel on the basis of the importance of strengthening the State's Judaism. This was something that everyone agreed upon, even those who are not religious... For instance, there is an initiative in the Knesset, led by non-religious MKs, to promote public Sabbath observance - not on the basis of religious law, but on the basis of social justice, allowing everyone to have a day off, etc... "
"In addition," Rabbi Gisser said, "there was a desire on the part of everyone to promote and strengthen the conversion framework, headed by Rabbi Chaim Druckman, but there was an attempt to find a way to overcome bureaucratic and ideological difficulties on the part of the non-Jewish Russian public and enable and encourage them to come to Jewish law courts for the purpose of conversion."
"Everyone does, to some degree," Rabbi Gisser said. "We discussed [the question of whether we should participate] amongst ourselves [religious-Zionist rabbis and leaders] beforehand, some 30 of us, and we realized that though there were definitely political overtones, it was clear to us that when you're invited to speak about the Jewish character of the State of Israel, and the role of Religious-Zionism is placed at the center of the national discourse, then that's the right thing to do."
The day-long summit was entitled, "The Jewish Character of the State of Israel - Religious Zionism as an element motivating national discourse."
Among the topics discussed at length, Rabbi Gisser said, was the importance of finding ways to strengthen public Sabbath observance and the conversion-to-Judaism framework, amidst as wide of a consensus as possible.
Olmert, in his remarks, showed understanding for the religious-Zionist sector - known as the orange camp, after the color chosen to symbolize the struggle against last year's expulsion from Gush Katif and northern Shomron - but also had criticism. He said that we must "strive towards a new definition of Zionism,” though he did not specify what he had in mind.
“We must understand the troubles of the religious Zionist public and find a path for honest and deep discourse with them," Olmert said. This sector is in "deep distress," he said, "because of the public conflict which raised basic questions as to the State’s character and outlook. [These people] dealt with the difficult experience of having to reconcile themselves with the concession of the territories and settlements."
However, he said that one's Zionism cannot be based only on whether or not he supports withdrawals. Olmert noted that "hundreds of thousands of people served in the territories for over 35 years and participated in enforcing Israel’s policies there, despite their wholehearted belief that the State’s actions were erroneous and severely harmed our social tapestry.”
Olmert thus implied that the orange camp must similarly not let the act of the Disengagement affect its feelings towards the State. This, despite the inherent differences between the passive policy of continuing to hold on to territory won in war and the pro-active act of disenfranchising an entire public and thousands of citizens from their homes and lifework.
Olmert described the religious-Zionist sector as one that "lives on the periphery and has felt neglected for years." In response, IsraelNationalRadio's Alex Traiman, a self-described religious-Zionist, commented that he doesn't feel peripheral: "Even citizens living in Judea and Samaria are doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc., working in the center of the country and in the center of Israeli public life..."
Public perception within much of the religious-Zionist public is that Olmert has twice betrayed it: once after he left the office of Mayor of Jerusalem, where he had been staunchly in the right-wing camp, and took on a more left-wing stance upon entering national politics, and again when he became Ariel Sharon's chief ally in promoting the unilateral withdrawal plan of 2005.
Rabbi Gisser said that the conference discussions did not center on practical solutions, "but rather on an investigation of the issues. Throughout the day, however, there was the background tension of Olmert's diplomatic plans - frozen or suspended or whatever they may be at present. Many of us warned clearly of the dangers we feel they present."
Regarding the essential need for religious/secular respect and cooperation, Rabbi Gisser said, "It was clear that the boundaries of Jewish dialogue must be broadened so that we can all find our place in Israel on the basis of the importance of strengthening the State's Judaism. This was something that everyone agreed upon, even those who are not religious... For instance, there is an initiative in the Knesset, led by non-religious MKs, to promote public Sabbath observance - not on the basis of religious law, but on the basis of social justice, allowing everyone to have a day off, etc... "
"In addition," Rabbi Gisser said, "there was a desire on the part of everyone to promote and strengthen the conversion framework, headed by Rabbi Chaim Druckman, but there was an attempt to find a way to overcome bureaucratic and ideological difficulties on the part of the non-Jewish Russian public and enable and encourage them to come to Jewish law courts for the purpose of conversion."