Dr. Ruth Kabessa Abramzon Urges National Unity as Essential for Israel’s Security
In a special article for Tisha B’Av, Dr. Ruth Kabessa Abramzon emphasizes that national unity is not merely a moral value but a fundamental prerequisite for Israel’s security. Reflecting on the lessons from history and the October 7th tragedy, she argues that a profound shift in national consciousness is necessary. Each year on Tisha B’Av, the State of the Nation report assesses two key indices: unity and security. While these are often treated separately, Dr. Kabessa Abramzon stresses that they are inseparable and that security depends directly on the level of unity within the nation.
She highlights how the recent horrific events demonstrated the catastrophic consequences when parts of the Jewish people turn against each other, undermining the nation’s cohesion. The trauma from October 7th, combined with a year marked by division, has painfully illustrated that without unity, no security measures, military strength, or economic advantages can protect the state. The sociological damage caused by internal division leads to delegitimizing groups and ignoring their warnings, as seen in the ignored voices of Gush Katif evacuees, who were marginalized as the “ultimate other.”
Dr. Kabessa Abramzon calls for managing disagreements "for the sake of heaven," meaning that despite differing views, the shared national interest and Jewish identity must take precedence. She warns that prioritizing secondary identities over Jewish unity blinds the nation to threats and leaves it vulnerable. With elections approaching amid ongoing war, rising global antisemitism, regional instability, and emerging technological challenges like AI, she insists that Israel must internalize that unity is the indispensable foundation for security.
The article concludes with a call to learn from history and recent brutal experiences to avoid repeating painful lessons. Dr. Kabessa Abramzon is a PhD in management, chair of the Forum for Judaizing the Galilee, and author of "The State Is Not Available Now - How to Restore Public Service to Work for Us."
