Mar 1, 2012
Rubinstein Defends Jubran For Not Singing HaTikvah
The other day Supreme Court Justice Dorit Beinisch retired and in her place as president of the SCJ, Justice Asher Gronis was appointed.
At the ceremony, Justice Salim Jubran, a Christian Arab, refused to sing HaTikvah with everyone else. This refusal raised a ruckus. Calls of Jubran being a traitor, he should be fired, suggestions of proposed loyalty laws, laws saying only those who served in the army could be appointed as judges, and the like were all raised in it's wake.
Justice Elyokim Rubinstein came to Jubran's defense. Rubinstein said the criticism of Jubran is not justified. He said Hatikvah is a worthy anthem for Israel and it should not be changed. The non-Jewish citizens need to respect it, as they do. However, we should not demand that they sing it... Of course, one who does join in in singing the song should be blessed, but that should be left to be a personal decision. [Jubran] doesn't need a good word from me, but from friendship that has been daily for close to 8 years by working together, I can testify to his integrity as a judge, to his being a loyal citizen of the State of Israel who represents the country with honor and success abroad, and many should be like him.
I can agree with Justice Rubinstein regarding the average Arab Israeli citizen. There is no need to put the average Arab Israeli citizen into the position where he must choose, where he will be forced to resolve what might be a difficult internal conflict. However, when it comes to a person of great influence and authority, such as a Supreme Court justice or other similar positions of influence, II think such a person should have to decide and express where his loyalties lay. If he cannot recognize the National Anthem, perhaps he will allow his personal internal conflicts to sway his decisions in crucial cases in which such issues play a part.
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Justice Elyokim Rubinstein came to Jubran's defense. Rubinstein said the criticism of Jubran is not justified. He said Hatikvah is a worthy anthem for Israel and it should not be changed. The non-Jewish citizens need to respect it, as they do. However, we should not demand that they sing it... Of course, one who does join in in singing the song should be blessed, but that should be left to be a personal decision. [Jubran] doesn't need a good word from me, but from friendship that has been daily for close to 8 years by working together, I can testify to his integrity as a judge, to his being a loyal citizen of the State of Israel who represents the country with honor and success abroad, and many should be like him.
I can agree with Justice Rubinstein regarding the average Arab Israeli citizen. There is no need to put the average Arab Israeli citizen into the position where he must choose, where he will be forced to resolve what might be a difficult internal conflict. However, when it comes to a person of great influence and authority, such as a Supreme Court justice or other similar positions of influence, II think such a person should have to decide and express where his loyalties lay. If he cannot recognize the National Anthem, perhaps he will allow his personal internal conflicts to sway his decisions in crucial cases in which such issues play a part.
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This is a very difficult issue for Jews. There is no acceptable explanation for a public official not to sing the national anthem, unless he does not have loyalties to the State. In which case, how can he be expected to make fair and unbiased rulings? In America, Mizrachi shuls says a prayer for the U.S. govt, for the State of Israel, and Tzahal, during which Aguda-nicks sit down in protest or walk out as is the case in the shul we belonged to in America. Aguda & Chabad shuls do not say these teffilot at all. We are not public officials but it is no less disconcerting and offensive.
ReplyDeleteWhy is this any different that our "deputy" Minister of Health who receives a generous salary from the same gov't (and taxpayers) that his party doesn't "really" recognize?
ReplyDeleteIf a Jew in the Israeli gov't can have such views why is any different for an Arab Christian?
Its not like he walked out on the song as a public servant at a public event, only charediim get to do that.
ReplyDeleteSince when is it compulsory to sing the National Anthem? It's bad enough that Israel is becoming more and more of a nationalistic, right-wing, nation without imitating dictatorships such as North Korea.
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ReplyDeleteWay - good comparison, but dont forget that Litzman, the charedi public servant that did that, was harshly criticized for doing so. dont make it sound like nobody cared and just let him do what he wants..
ReplyDeleteDarth - I dont know what the obligations are, but it seems that at State ceremonies that is at least the common practice.
ReplyDeleteHe has nothing against Israel nationalism, it's just how do you expect a non-jew to sing "nefesh yehudi homiah"??? It's ridiculuous. Would you sing an anthem that tied living freely in your country of residence to being a Christian??!! Hatickva is a bigoted and undemocratic institution.
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