Venues and Values - The Knesset
by Lee Diamond, rabbi
Few sites in Israel are as significant as the Knesset. This is Israel’s legislature where the laws of the state are determined and changed as needed. Named for the ancient Jewish legislative body, the Knesset Ha Gedola, which was established in the 5th century B.C.E.; this modern body was inaugurated as the War of Independence, was still in progress, and just as the time that the modern state of Israel was being established. It is this parliament that determines the government of Israel from amongst its 120 elected members, legislates its laws, establishes policies for the state and elects the President.
ICT’s interest is to reflect on its significance of the body to the people of Israel. We will supply below appropriate sources describing the actual working of the Knesset.
For 2,000 years, the Jewish people were scattered in the world, living by the good will or sometimes 'not so good' will of the countries of their dispersion. Jews were sometimes treated as equals under the law and sometimes treated as guests in their national home. Prior to the emancipation in Western Europe and throughout their experience in Eastern Europe as well as in North Africa, Jews were tolerated at best.
The French Revolution was the “shot heard round the world” for democracy and equality. This promised equality gave great hope to the Jewish people world-wide. However the Dreyfus Affair in the late 1800’s and reactions in France and elsewhere to this trial forced many Jew to realize that the promise of emancipation was most uncertain for them. Anti Semitism and ultimately the Shoah made it clear that the Jew was unwelcome in Western and Eastern Europe. It was clear that the Jew was not to be accepted as equal in these societies and in others.
As the modern state of Israel was established the message was a again a “shout heard round the world.” However this message was one for the Jewish people. “Here you are guaranteed freedom and equality as this is your home.” Every Jew the in world was offered the option of return and freedom as a Jew in his/her national state, Israel. The Knesset enacted as one of its first laws, the “Law of Return” which provided automatic citizenship to any Jew choosing to accept this.
Jews were no longer dependent on the will of any nation but their own sovereign nation. Equality was declared for all citizens of the State of Israel. All residents of the State, Jews and Arabs alike were given citizenship and equality by the Knesset. Democracy was declared for all citizens.
For many in Israel and in the Jewish Diaspora, there is no memory of a world without an Israel, without a Jewish state, without a Knesset, without a Law of Return, without Jewish sovereignty and without democracy and equality before the law. These values are taken for granted as our memory fades and our new generations do not remember and can not remember a not so distant past of insecurity.
The Knesset is the clearest statement of Jewish independence as it is governed by this as its founding principle.
Some will find fault with the legislative body and its functioning, and for certain it has imperfections but these exist in all democratic societies. However weaknesses can be corrected and improved upon and our system can be perfected in the context of a free democratic State of Israel. Therefore, the primary value concept to discuss in any visit to or discussion about the Knesset has to do with Jewish sovereignty and independence. (one paragraph) In the process of understanding this concept of Jewish sovereignty we must address the issues that need to be developed and improved upon in Israel’s struggle for democracy.
Among these issues are
Religion and State
Women in Israeli society
Minority rights in our society
Treatment of the “other” in our society
Attitudes and action toward neighboring states and peoples
Human rights within Israel
Human rights in relation to enemies
Peace and security
These are but a few brief examples of the challenges to Israeli democracy which require sincere and thorough effort.However at the base of all of these value discussions is the core value of Jewish sovereignty. This value is what defines Israel.
The Knesset is the body which must lead our sovereignty and struggle with the laws that will make for a just and worthy sovereign State of Israel.
As part of ICT’s visit to the Knesset we spend time:
*Reading Israel’s Declaration of Independence
*Discussing these values with a member of the Knesset.
*Listening to a live discussion.
*Enjoying a meal in the Knesset cafeteria
*Visiting the Chagall Wall hangings
*Joining in a discussion regarding the values presented--in the park adjacent to Knesset
*A visit the Menorah outside the Knesset – Symbol of State. This Menorah has become the official symbol of Israel. As one views this sculpture, it is important to recall the Menorah etched on the Arch of Titus as captive Jewish slaves carried it on their backs on their way to exile. Here at this site and here in Israel, this shame has been transformed into the pride of a redeemed sovereign nation.
Relief of Menorah on the Arch of Titus built in 85 CE to celebrate the capture of Jerusalem
Menorah at the Knesset today: Symbol of Statehood
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