It does not really change much, as everyone really knows their intentions. The debate is whether their intentions, and specifically these intentions, are a reason to prevent them from doing what they do. Sure, it does not meet orthodox Jewish criteria, and we wish to retain our power and control, and our customs which we believe are correct should prevail, but objectively, they should have the right to serve God as they see proper.
But all that is old news. There is no real need rehash the same old arguments again and again. Let the WoW and their Haredi opponents bang their heads together and fight the same issues over and over again.
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| Judge Bavly |
Extrapolating from this decision, one can say that people praying on Har HaBayit, and I insist on connecting the two issues, are not the ones disturbing the peace, as the police claim and thereby detain people who dare to pray. The ones disturbing the peace, the ones provoking violence, are the Arabs who oppose Jewish prayer. And the police continue to allow the provokers free rein, and even assist them by giving their voice power and support.
This decision by Judge Bavly should be used to pressure the police to stop preventing Jews, as per the Israel Supreme Court decision, from praying on Har HaBayit. The only reason the police have the right to prevent Jews from praying is by making their own determination that the Jews are disturbing the peace and causing a violent response by the Arabs. According to Bavly's decision, the Jews should not be treated as the ones making the disturbance, but the Arabs should be. And if they continue to do so, they should be distanced from Temple Mount.
Another observation from the recent kerfuffle at the Kotel is one that has been noted by a number of people. The media, as are the courts, is very supportive of what the Women of the Wall are doing. They are supportive despite the fact that WoW is trying to change, whether rightfully or wrongfully does not matter right now, the common behavior and customs in a very sensitive situation, and they are doing so against a decision by the Supreme Court (which is why they keep getting detained).
What we have is a group of people being insensitive to the common behavior that is mandated by law, and breaking a Supreme Court decision in the process. And they keep gaining support from the media and even in the public eye. While the Haredim, who normally are not so hot to quote the Supreme Court, keep saying the Supreme Court has already decided on this. Things seem backward. Those who normally promote the rule of law and the Supreme Court are in this case supporting the opposite, while those who wish the Supreme Court would normally go away are in this case supporting it.
Another comparison is also behavioral. While the Haredi community gets criticized regularly for behavior that some define as protestive in nature, and at least is insensitive to the public sensitivities, such as when they do not stand still for memorial sirens, or have barbecues in the park on a sensitive day, yet when WoW engage in protestive behavior they draw not criticism from the media but support.
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Without getting into the halachic issues, the fact that Jews living in our own sovereign nation can't daven in our most holy place (but only outside the ruins of the outer retaining wall of that place) is of course outrageous and one of the terrible ironies of this time in history. But for practical purposes, it's not in the same category as the Kotel situation. Har Habayit isn't just an "internal affairs" issue - the Kotel is. Dealing with Arabs/Muslims who are uncooperative, unwilling to compromise, violent and ready to start a regional war at the slightest provocation is a sticky situation that's not entirely within our "dalet amot" to work out. But the fact that we have to tiptoe around the extreme sensitivities of fellow Jews for fear of violent reprisals IS an internal issue, and I think it's fair for Israelis to be outraged and want to address it.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the media, no rocket science there. WoW is fighting for religious pluralism, equality. Charedim are fighting against Yom Hashoah (and any observances instituted by the State). Which cause do you think appeals more to the average Israeli on the street? (And in this case I'm proud to count myself as an "average Israeli!)
"Har Habayit isn't just an "internal affairs" issue - the Kotel is. Dealing with Arabs/Muslims who are uncooperative, unwilling to compromise, violent and ready to start a regional war at the slightest provocation is a sticky situation that's not entirely within our "dalet amot" to work out. "
ReplyDeleteIMO, that perspective of the issue is a big cause of the problem. Israel annexed Jerusalem. the behavior of people on Har Habayit is "just an internal affairs issue."
Anon, in theoretical terms I agree. But how would you suggest applying that to the practical reality? A unilateral takeover of Har Habayit?
DeleteDavid - the time for that option has really passed. that was a possibility in 1967, but not since. That does not mean I would not support such a move if the government would make it, but realistically it is not going to happen.
DeleteI would be happy with slow but significant changes. start with allowing Jewish prayers. Opening it for more hours in the day to Jews than it is currently open. Maybe not limit it to hours. and slowly implement more and more
Agreed 100%.
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