Both publics are convinced that their gathering is justified • But it is impossible to talk about equal enforcement before talking about equal legislation • Opinion
Television screens are full of mass rallies in recent days at two main venues:
left-wing demonstrations in and around Balfour on Saturday, and Rabbi Soloveitchik's funeral yesterday in Jerusalem. Sex or Political Perspective In both cases these are publics who are deeply convinced to the depths of their souls that their gathering is justified.
Thousands at a funeral in Jerusalem // Photo: Rafi Rudnik, Yoni Rickner
The law, immediately popping up, is on the side of the protesters.
After all, the demonstrations were allowed;
And religious gatherings - no.
But that's exactly part of the problem: the legislature (or our dysfunctional government) has made a distinction based on values, and that's the root of the problem.
It is impossible to talk about equal enforcement before talking about equal legislation.
The ultra-Orthodox claim that funerals, celebrations and tishim are a "demonstration" for their own values - as stupid as it is in terms of the epidemic - has a real constitutional-principle level.
If secularists are allowed to violate the guidelines for their values, why should the ultra-Orthodox be banned?
And with all due respect, the ultra-Orthodox should not invent embellished doctrines about the nullity of unequal legislation.
They have common sense, and that's enough.
The State of Israel finds itself embarrassed.
To control the epidemic requires a broad and complete popular mobilization, to meet the guidelines required from a health point of view in a mature manner (including giving up things permitted by law), cooperating with the government and demonstrating broad public discipline.
And here the left and the ultra-Orthodox alike are tearing the rope, for similar reasons.
The leftists - especially the extremists who populate the demonstrations - are driven by the old Marxist conspiracy theory that the "regime" exploits the plague to harm civilians (the "proletariat") or for Netanyahu to "evade justice" or simply promote a dictatorial conspiracy;
And against such trends activists must protest.
The ultra-Orthodox, on the other hand, are driven by an equally destructive conspiracy, according to which the "government" acts against the "world of the Torah" and must be treated with suspicion and obedience avoided in cases of harm to their spiritual world.
On the nose and in the wrath of the "government" the Talmudic Torah will operate, the masses of Beit Yisrael will participate in the "great" funerals, and holiday events will take place as usual.
Israel needs statehood, and an urgent need, in the basic Ben-Gurion sense: the view of the state and the nation as the basic reference point of the individual.
Without the sophistication of Marxists and without the polytheism of followers.