Retired Brigadier General Musa Peled Finds Political Home in Religious Zionism After Decades of Service
Retired Brigadier General Moshe (Musa) Peled, who fought in the liberation of Jerusalem and continues to serve in the reserves at age 81, shared how the Six-Day War reshaped his worldview and led him to support the Religious Zionist movement. Peled, who has over 630 days of reserve service since the war began, described his decades-long journey of military command, combat, and public activism dedicated to Israel's security and settlement.
Peled explained that his political alignment shifted after the Six-Day War, when he embraced a camp that celebrates the return to the ancestral land and practical Zionism. He has been involved in founding and supporting various political frameworks aimed at preserving activist Zionism, including movements for Greater Israel and settlement initiatives. His commitment to the Religious Zionist camp stems from its integration of love for the land, settlement, and national responsibility.
Throughout his career, Peled closely engaged with the national-religious community in settlement, education, immigration absorption, and military service, admiring their unwavering dedication. Despite his advanced age, he continues to serve in the reserves and recently received another call-up. He emphasized that his commitment to the country transcends rank and age.
Peled called on secular Zionists who share these values to join the movement, advocating for a united national camp that combines religious and secular forces. He urged political responsibility to avoid splitting votes within the national camp and strengthen its representation. He concluded by reflecting on his long journey with the phrase "We have returned to the wells, to the pure waters," symbolizing his sense of having found his true political home in Religious Zionism after decades of service and activism.
