Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, one of the leading rabbis of Religious Zionism, calls for compromises on legal reform and not to continue confrontations on both sides.
Rabbi Ariel told Israel Hayom, "I see with heartache this serious and dangerous confrontation, which is unfortunately accompanied and fueled by hatred on both sides. Maybe one side more and one less, but it doesn't matter – it's baseless hatred on the eve of Tisha B'Av. Distrust, suspicion and attempts to forcefully bend each other. The heart aches. Let's hope we don't get out of here to ruin, God forbid."
Clashes continue near the Knesset, police operate Maktazit
"We need to reach understandings. Each side must understand the other side, and know that it is in pain. I believe that with goodwill and transcending divisiveness and petty politics, it is possible to reach certain compromises without giving up positions," says Rabbi Ariel.
In his remarks, Rabbi Ariel clarifies that the state of the legal system is improper and that changes need to be made, but not in the form of coercion. To this end, he proposes establishing a parallel to the House of Lords in Britain, a supreme body to balance the forces. "There is a need to establish a house of intellectuals that will reflect society as a whole and that can delay law or justice in exceptional cases by a two-thirds majority. An upper body that will balance both forces."
A protester is evacuated by police in Jerusalem, today, Photo: AFP
"We need both forces. It is impossible to give everything to the court, partly because it is not diverse enough and also because it sees things only within the framework of the law and is not flexible and understands social problems. The role of executive leadership is to provide for a more loving and flexible society, not just through the dry law. On the other hand, it is impossible to say that a legislature can enact any law that comes to mind. If we do this, we will end up in terrible situations, as we have seen in parliaments that passed terrible laws that the people of Israel experienced firsthand. There is a need for judicial review and justice, along with balance."
"There are different opinions among the people of Israel and they must be given status. There are elections and you need authority to rule, but control is not to bend the minority. A democracy cannot use a formal majority to enact any law. She needs to compromise. At the same time, the minority must understand that there is an elected majority and it is allowed to govern."
Demonstrators outside the Knesset, photo: Reuters
Rabbi Ariel spoke out against the blocking of roads and the violation of individual rights as part of the protest. "After the protest, laws should be passed regarding protests. It is inconceivable that protest will harm private individuals or paralyze major roads. At a demonstration on the way to Jerusalem, people got stuck on the way and couldn't reach their destination for Shabbat. This is not possible. It is also necessary to go to hospitals and schools. What is the fault of a neighbor of a public figure for living next door? A law should be passed stating that demonstrations will take place in public places, with full freedom of speech, but in a way that does not harm private individuals and main traffic arteries. This is not possible. Freedom of speech is not freedom of contempt."
Police evacuate protesters in Jerusalem, today, Photo: AP
Last March, only a short time after Defense Minister Yoav Galant was dismissed from his position, Israel Hayom published a letter from rabbis and public figures, also signed by Rabbi Ariel, calling for a halt to the demonstrations and legislation until after Passover and Memorial Days. Rabbi Ariel is in no hurry to return to such a call, because then he is perceived as calling for the cessation of legislation unilaterally. "On Passover, I called for a mutual truce, and indeed the Knesset did not enact laws because of the recess and the confrontation that took place, but the other side continued to use these days to its advantage with demonstrations and protests. Even today I am in favor of a mutual truce, and I do not support a certain opinion."
He is not optimistic about the possibility that the Knesset will stop the legislation. "I don't believe the Knesset can reach understandings. We need moderate intellectuals who will be above the Knesset and formulate these understandings. If there are Knesset members who can rise above political considerations, that's welcome, but I don't see them doing so. It's hard for politicians because everyone represents an opinion they have to fight for, so you need intellectuals who have a comprehensive view that represents both sides. Unfortunately, at the moment, intellectuals do not rise to such a situation. I've seen writers calling for no compromise. Are you intellectuals? Is that how you talk?"
Just before Tisha B'Av, Rabbi Ariel calls for conclusions to be drawn from what happened in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. "On the eve of Tisha B'Av, we must not repeat the terrible mistake. Stop the baseless hatred, let's talk, everyone. We must not return to the disaster of Altalena, it is not too late to convene intellectuals who will sit and talk, not clash, and create a common framework with all disagreements. The state was established by way of mutual understanding. Find a compromise. We must rise above the status quo."
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