Religious Zionism's "Phantom Limb" Syndrome: A Political Identity Crisis
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Segments of the Religious Zionist public are experiencing a political identity crisis, struggling to reconcile their historical alliance with the left, which has undergone a significant ideological transformation. This confusion, exacerbated by effective propaganda, leads to difficulties in voting choices during critical elections. The article traces this issue from the founding Zionist generation through the Yom Kippur War and the rise of secular anti-Zionist ideologies, contrasting it with the emergence of a new, confident Religious Zionist leadership. It urges voters to make pragmatic choices, framing the current election as a stark choice between the right and Palestinian interests.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Religious Zionists face an identity crisis due to the left's ideological shift and effective propaganda.
- The Yom Kippur War marked a divergence between secular and religious Zionist visions.
- Secular Zionism evolved from pragmatic nationalism to "normalization" and anti-Zionist stances.
- A new, confident Religious Zionist leadership has emerged, fulfilling Herzl's vision.
- Voters are urged to choose pragmatically between the right and Palestinian interests.
A political and identity crisis is plaguing segments of the Religious Zionist (Serugim) public, stemming from a difficulty in acknowledging the profound transformation of secular Zionism. This confusion manifests in a struggle over voting choices during critical elections, with some contemplating support for opposition parties promoting ideologies perceived as detrimental to the Jewish state.
The article traces this dilemma back to the founding generation of Zionism, highlighting the initial partnership between figures like Theodor Herzl and Rabbi Yitzhak Yaakov Reines, founder of the Mizrachi movement. Herzl recognized the value of Religious Zionism, but his untimely death and the rise of secular, socialist pioneers like Chaim Weizmann and David Ben-Gurion relegated Religious Zionism to a subordinate role within the broader Zionist movement.
The Yom Kippur War in 1973 marked a significant turning point. While secular Zionists, represented by figures like Moshe Dayan, viewed the war as a biblical-scale disaster that shattered the Zionist vision of "never again," Religious Zionists saw it as a strategic achievement enabling continued settlement efforts. This ideological divergence led secular Zionism to embrace "normalization" and a detachment from Jewish identity in the state, viewing their former Religious Zionist partners as obstacles.
This shift culminated in the Oslo Accords and the Gaza disengagement, which the article attributes to this ideological rift rather than peace efforts. The third generation of secular Israelis, influenced by their elders' aversion to religion, further eroded the common Zionist foundation, severing the historical alliance with Religious Zionism. In contrast, the third generation of Religious Zionists has developed a vibrant, confident political leadership, embodied by the Religious Zionist Party, which is seen as fulfilling Herzl's vision.
The authors argue that the "phantom limb" pain of the confused Serugim stems from a failure to grasp the left's transformation from a pragmatic Zionist force to an anti-Zionist one, now partnering with Israeli-Palestinian parties. This confusion is exacerbated by effective propaganda campaigns targeting Religious Zionists, such as those concerning Haredi conscription and "settler violence," designed to sow division. The article concludes by urging voters to overcome emotional aversion to leaders like Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, to disregard divisive propaganda, and to vote based on a rational assessment of party advantages, framing the choice as "Right or Palestine."
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