Israel’s Leaders Must Be Jewish, Argues Top Rabbi

Israel is clearly defined as the “Jewish” state, and so only Jews should hold the reins of power, according to new rabbinical ruling.

By Ryan Jones | | Topics: Zionism, Jewish State
Arab lawmaker Ahmad Tibi, who identifies as a Palestinian, shouts down Jewish lawmakers while serving at Acting Speaker of the Knesset in 2022. Should non-Jews be permitted to hold positions that represent the Jewish state? Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90
Arab lawmaker Ahmad Tibi, who identifies as a Palestinian, shouts down Jewish lawmakers while serving at Acting Speaker of the Knesset in 2022. Should non-Jews be permitted to hold positions that represent the Jewish state? Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90

Rabbi Yaakov Ariel caused a stir this week with the publication of an article insisting that Israel’s government must never rely on the support of non-Jewish lawmakers, and that non-Jews should not hold senior government positions.

Rabbi Ariel is chief rabbi of the city of Ramat Gan and one of the leading rabbis of the religious Zionist movement.

His controversial article appeared in the latest issue of the annual publication Tehumin (תחומין – a Hebrew acronym for “Torah, Society and State”). The publication is described as a collection of “religious rulings dealing with modern Jewish life, technology and law.” It is published by the Zomet Institute, a high-tech non-profit specializing in the production of electronic appliances that adhere to Jewish law, but that also regularly comments on issues of religion and state.

Israel’s Declaration of Independence speaks clearly of the “establishment of a Jewish state in the Land of Israel,” and no government should alter that definition or character, argued Rabbi Ariel.

Of course, there is debate over how that Jewish character is expressed in an official capacity. Rabbi Ariel leans more toward the Orthodox interpretation, insisting that all commerce must halt on Shabbat, only kosher food should be served in public institutions, and the right of immigration (Aliyah) belongs to Jews alone.

But as for the leadership of the nation, Rabbi Ariel stressed that there is no debate, or at least there shouldn’t be.

“The political elite representing the state–such as the prime minister, defense minister, foreign minister, IDF chief of staff, the state president and the Knesset speaker–should consist only of [Jewish] Israelis,” he wrote, adding that “no coalition should be formed that depends on the votes of [non-Jewish] minority parties.”

That was a clear jab at the previous government, which famously (or infamously) relied on the support of the Islamic faction Ra’am.

And before anyone gets too worked up, Rabbi Ariel wasn’t advocating a suppression of Israel’s minorities. They absolutely must be represented in government, he wrote, just not in its senior leadership.

Minorities “should participate in decision-making, at least in so far as it concerns their own communities. To this end, they should be represented, and it is permissible and even appropriate to appoint persons from these communities to senior positions in the government where they will have an impact on the budget for their sectors,” he explained.

You Might Also Like
Load more
Members

Israel Today Membership

Read all member content. Access exclusive, in-depth reports from Israel! Free Zoom events. Connect with Israel right from your home! Raise a voice of truth and hope. Support Faith-based journalism in Jerusalem!

Monthly
Membership

$5
/ month
Full access to Israel Today's Member-only content on all Digital Platforms.
Become a Member

Yearly
Membership

$46
/ year
Full access to Israel Today's Member-only content on all Digital Platforms.
Save 18% Per Month.
Become a Member

Six Months
Membership

$28
every 6 months
Full access to Israel Today's Member-only content on all Digital Platforms.
Save 9% Per Month.
Become a Member
Israel Today comments guidelines Kommentar-Regeln

Leave a Reply

Israel Today Newsletter

Daily news

FREE to your inbox

Israel Heute Newsletter

Tägliche Nachrichten

KOSTENLOS in Ihrer Inbox

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter