Editorial, June 3, 2011
Respect the key
THROUGHOUT history, Jewish people have rallied for political causes on a diverse range of matters. In just the past few centuries, Jewish political thinkers have been among the world’s most influential – think Karl Marx, Theodor Herzl and Henry Kissinger. They have also been among the most controversial. Dreaming up Communism, politicising Zionism and resuming American diplomatic connections with “red” China were among the ground-breaking actions of these men.
This week’s cover story, detailing the Rabbinic Council of Progressive Rabbis’ decision to lobby the Government for marriage equality in Australia, is no different. The cause is most controversial, and at the moment, does not have the support of the Government or the Opposition.
But just as Marx, Herzl and Kissinger believed in what they were doing and ignored the naysayers, so too is the Progressive movement.
After agreeing to perform same-sex commitment ceremonies more than a year ago, Progressive rabbis have decided to go public and speak out on an issue they feel passionate about; an issue they believe is supported by the thousands of Progressive Jews Australia-wide.
That is not to say those who affiliate with other branches of Judaism are going to support or even accept the new policy. But it is necessary that the rest of the community responds to the new policy with respect.
The AJN is calling for a calm discussion on marriage equality – or the right for men to marry men and women to marry women if they so choose.
This newspaper understands that if one is to take a literal reading of the Torah and its explanations, same-sex marriage is not accepted under Jewish law. The Progressive community believes it has found a way to promote halacha, while also advocating for legal same-sex marriage, by appealing to the passage in Bereshit where we learn that God created all human beings in his image.
Regardless of your views, respect and treating your fellow human being as you wish to be treated are principles we should all live by. These principles need to be applied to all, regardless of Jewish affiliation or sexual orientation, and need to be applied to this debate.
Laden with meaning
EGYPT opened its border crossing with Gaza this week. The event passed uneventfully – few analysts expected otherwise. The dangers of reopening the Rafah crossing, experts say, are not likely to present themselves right away but rather may build over time.
Like the way Israel’s withdrawal from its security zone in southern Lebanon, whether prudent or not, had a bearing upon the second Lebanon war six years later, Egypt’s opening of the border between Gaza and the Sinai will have ramifications down the line.
Of one thing we can be certain: Egypt’s four-year, closed-border policy implemented following Hamas’s hostile takeover of Gaza was based on genuine security concerns.
In spite of the recent Hamas-Fatah unity agreement, these security issues have not faded over time. On the contrary, they have only strengthened.
Today, Hamas forces are armed with mortars and missiles of ever-increasing accuracy and range, as well as Iranian and Russian military hardware that has been smuggled into the Strip through tunnels.
These weapons are unleashed against Israel’s population centres with regularity and impunity, while the new Palestinian unity agreement turns a blind eye to them.
Yet in spite of the undeniable security implications of opening the Rafah crossing, or the political boost it will give Hamas, the fact remains that Egypt is entitled to manage its border with Gaza as it chooses. It is now the job of those entrusted with Israel’s defence to adjust to the new situation.
For optimists, there can be found some positives to Egypt’s decision. To be sure, critics of the Gazan blockade invariably blamed Israel solely for the policy, while ignoring Egypt’s supporting role. For better or for worse, with the opening of the Rafah crossing, the argument that Gazans lack access to the outside world simply can no longer be made.
Under Egypt’s eased border rules, all pretense behind a Turkish flotilla planned for later this month has been cast aside. The anti-Israel venom behind the voyage has shed its humanitarian disguise.
In truth, we also acknowledge the reality that tunnels had rendered Gaza’s border with Egypt effectively porous for years.
The symbolism of Cairo’s decision, then, is perhaps the most troubling aspect of them all. Even before post-Mubarak Egypt heads for the polls, its decision to boost Hamas signals a disturbing sign that Israel’s cold peace with its southern neighbour is poised to get even colder.
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