Religious Zionist Rabbis Warn Against Wasted Votes
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Two Religious Zionist rabbis, Shlomo Yosef Weitzman and Moshe Gantz, are urging voters to avoid casting ballots for parties unlikely to pass the electoral threshold. Rabbi Weitzman emphasized that elections require practical results, not just ideological statements, calling such votes irresponsible. Rabbi Gantz specifically criticized voting for the Noam party as a waste and dismissed claims that it helps future elections. Both rabbis stressed the importance of strategic voting for the nation's benefit.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Rabbis Shlomo Yosef Weitzman and Moshe Gantz warn against voting for parties unlikely to pass the electoral threshold.
- Rabbi Weitzman stated that Knesset elections require practical results, not just ideological declarations.
- Weitzman called voting for a party that might not pass the threshold irresponsible.
- Rabbi Gantz specifically labeled voting for the Noam party a waste of a crucial vote.
- Gantz dismissed the idea that voting for small parties helps them in future elections.
- The rabbis stressed the public responsibility involved in strategic voting for the nation's benefit.
Two prominent rabbis within the Religious Zionist community are issuing strong warnings against voting for parties unlikely to pass Israel's electoral threshold, emphasizing the public responsibility involved in Knesset elections. Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Weitzman, the rabbi of the Psagot settlement, addressed the issue in a letter to his community, distinguishing between value-based voting and the risk of losing votes. He stated that the electoral threshold is a primary test of whether one isolates themselves due to an inability to cooperate or is connected and effective in the real world. Weitzman stressed that Knesset elections are not for ideological declarations but for choosing paths that yield practical results for the nation, asserting that voting for a party that might not pass the threshold is irresponsible. He added that any vote requiring extensive justification is likely unworthy. Weitzman also outlined criteria for choosing a party, including value backbone, acting for heaven's sake, practical talent, proven success, leadership ability, and cooperation with other groups, cautioning against relying on politicians who make many statements without demonstrating results.
Rabbi Moshe Gantz, a veteran Religious Zionist rabbi and student of Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook, echoed these sentiments. Gantz specifically called voting for the Noam party a blatant waste of a precious vote in a critical battle for the nation's future, noting its distance from the electoral threshold. He dismissed the argument that voting for such parties could strengthen them for future elections, calling the idea ridiculous and stating that even if it had merit, it wouldn't justify abandoning the current electoral battle. Gantz concluded by expressing bewilderment at those who fail to grasp this reasoning.
