Can Israel Be Too Jewish?

16 Tamuz 5777

Apparently, Australian Ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma thinks so...

Along with his love for Israel, Sharma is concerned about anti-democratic things happening in the country. “Israel’s strength and its ability to survive depends on the vitality of its democracy, its liberal and pluralistic nature, its freedom of press and freedom of expression, no less than its military superiority,” he says. "Values such as separation of powers and the free press, the fact citizens and organizations can criticize government policy without being outlawed or arrested—all of this makes Israel unique in the Middle East and grants it international legitimacy. Israel depends on the support of the West, which is based on shared values, shared morality and common governing methods. If Israel abandons these principles, in 20-30 years, it will not enjoy the same legitimacy and support it enjoys today.”

According to Sharma, “The democratic nature of Israel is as important as its Jewish nature, and I don't think you need to strengthen one at the expense of the other. Today, Israel's Jewish nature is expanding at the expense of its democratic and pluralistic nature. When you see things like this happening, it becomes increasingly difficult to identify with Israel from the outside. This is bad hasbara.” (Source)

Ah! There you have it in a nutshell. We are only Eisav's "brother" when we are being "Ya'aqov" - his twin. But when we rise to the elevated status of "Yisrael," the relationship comes to an end. No doubt "Israel's Jewish nature is expanding" refers to recent controversies over conversion authority and egalitarian access to the Kotel.

I cannot overemphasize the importance of this message. They will fight any attempt we make to rise above them and to fulfill our Divine destiny. But, they can't stop it. Mashiach will arrive to lead the way forward and this is what ultimately will bring on the War of Gog uMagog.