Why the Right Needs More Than Nationalism to Win

The column argues that Israel’s national camp relies on the Bible’s promise of the Land of Israel, but ignores the same text’s demands for commandments and prohibitions. According to the author, without a return to practical Judaism, a complete redemption and full victory are unlikely.

He recalls the Six-Day War and the War of Independence as moments of “miracle” and clear military success, saying Israel has since moved into a defensive, declining posture. He says the right often blames Western agendas and state institutions for preventing a more direct form of conquest, but asks whether the right is truly loyal to the Bible it invokes.

The writer says many on the right speak about Abraham, the Land of Israel, the Temple, or the Messiah, yet do not confront the Bible’s broader covenant, including sins and transgressions. He argues that a large “national-traditional” generation has adopted a Jewish identity centered on being right-wing and nationalist rather than observant, while avoiding the question of what practical Judaism requires.

He rejects religious coercion, but says observant Jews should actively influence others by explaining and modeling commandment observance. In his view, public discourse overemphasizes politics, anti-progressive rhetoric, and visible symbols such as challah, tzitzit, and a “reasonable effort,” while neglecting the harder discipline of keeping halacha and avoiding prohibitions.

The column concludes that without a much larger effort to popularize Judaism in a modern, philosophical, technical, and emotional language, Israelis will remain unable to achieve the decisive victory their military strength and technology should allow. The author identifies himself as a filmmaker, actor, journalist, and text creator, and says his new films are available free of charge.