Rabbi Kofeld Backs Unity Government But Warns Against False Hopes

Rabbi Yechiel Kofeld supports the formation of a unity government but cautions against the illusion that it will heal the deep divisions within Israeli society. In a recent lecture, he argued that Israel's current state of unity is the best it has been since the Exodus from Egypt, asserting that superficial agreements and embraces are no substitute for addressing fundamental ideological disagreements.

Addressing the public discourse surrounding upcoming elections and the possibility of a unity government, Rabbi Kofeld, who serves as a senior lecturer in faith at the Nof HaGalil Yeshiva and formerly as the rabbi of Dolev, questioned whether such a government could truly mend the societal rifts. He challenged the prevailing notion that Israeli society is facing an unprecedented unity crisis. "Everyone is asking: What will be? What will be after the elections? Everyone is worried," he stated. "Many are talking about a unity government, and the reason they want it is to heal Israeli society. Finally, a fix, and everyone will be together, and everything will be fine."

Rabbi Kofeld presented a historical perspective, citing internal conflicts throughout Jewish history, including the period of the Judges, the division of the kingdoms, the Second Temple era, and early statehood. "Is it harder today? All the talk about the difficult situation, guys, is foolish talk," he declared. "It's not true. I said at the beginning of my remarks, our situation is the best since the Exodus from Egypt." He explained that despite sharp disagreements, Israelis continue to live within a functioning, shared political framework for 78 years.

He distinguished between genuine ideological disputes and the manner in which debates are conducted. "People say: We will unite, we will be together, we will sit together, we will hug together, it will be fine. No," he stated. "There are questions here that are not being discussed. You run away from them, so what? Tomorrow, suddenly, it will jump out at you. Conscription into the army, the lives of religion and state, Judaism, Jewish culture."

Citing the writings of Rabbi Kook, Rabbi Kofeld contended that true unity does not necessitate abandoning one's positions. "We do not give up zeal for patience," he emphasized. He warned that tolerance aimed at silencing disputes could deepen them. "This patience can quiet down quarrels a bit, but it will not be able to connect hearts or bind lives together," he quoted, adding, "If the goal is industrial quiet, fine. If the goal is the building of the nation, this cannot be enough."

Rabbi Kofeld also criticized the public discourse, particularly concerning the judicial reform and hostage deal negotiations, arguing that instead of addressing core differences, parties resort to accusations. "We have lost it," he said, referring to the search for truth. "When people stop talking, afterwards they engage in negation, and in the end, there is no search for truth at all. It's all one big war." He recounted an experience in Dolev during the judicial reform protests where a discussion failed to address the actual claims, with one participant refusing to engage with his explanations.

Despite his critique, Rabbi Kofeld reiterated his support for a unity government at this time but opposed presenting it as a panacea for societal divisions. "I am for a unity government, because it is best right now," he said. However, he cautioned, "Whoever pins the treatment, the healing of the nation, on the matter of unity, is living in illusions." He suggested that sitting together in government would not necessarily change perceptions.

He concluded by calling for a change in public discourse, urging for substantive discussions and a return to truth and the love of truth. "We need to demand from every discussion a substantive discussion," he said. "Not to say: The argument doesn't matter, what people think doesn't matter." "It will only help to clarify the ideology, or at least, first of all, to speak the truth," he concluded. "To return truth to its place, to return the love of truth to its place, and not to give up."