Zionism has made many demands on the People of Israel: active military service, reserve duty, perseverance in the face of terrorism, and the unapologetic defense of the right of the Jewish to be sovereign in their historic homeland.
In these efforts the People of Israel have been quietly heroic, selflessly standing up for the good of the Nation and its citizens.
But surprisingly, there has been one demand of Zionism, one not requiring a great commitment of time nor risk of danger, that many otherwise Zionistic Israelis fail to meet: the duty to vote. And sadly, statistically there is a significantly lower voter turnout in the peripheral areas, widely considered to be among the most Zionistic in the country.
A lower voter turnout, particularly among Zionistic citizens, is problematic and regrettable in any election. However, the issue is compounded in the current election by another issue: we are beginning to see a creeping political willingness to discard one of the core, basic, indeed existential pillars of Israel - its status as the sole Jewish State in the world.
Israel as a Jewish State would seem to be a non-issue, like saying that parents should love their kids, and children their parents. But amazingly, there are many in Israel who not only care little about having Israel remain a Jewish and democratic state, but also are actively working to change this fundamental, existential reality of Israel into a “state of its citizens.”
And so it is that we at Im Tirtzu, say that in this election things must change. In this election there needs to be a grassroots effort aimed at the Zionistic citizen living in the periphery, urging him and her to demonstrate their Zionism by voting.
And not just showing up to vote, but to vote knowledgably and deliberately for those parties who will ensure Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic State.
Between now and election day, Im Tirtzu will appeal to our fellow citizens in the peripheral areas to stand up, be counted, rally around Israel as a Jewish and democratic State, and to show that committment at the ballot box on behalf of the truly Zionistic parties of Israel.
Because we at Im Tirtzu know that true Zionism is inextricably tied to Judaism as the core animating concept of Israel. Israel as a “state of its citizens” is a non-starter that motivates no one to take risks on behalf of the Nation.
Israel as a Jewish State however is eternal, and will always inspire and bring out the best in the Jewish People.