Beliefs and Disagreements
Matia Kam

David Ben-Gurion: on diverse views and beliefs in the state of Israel and on the Haredim, the Ultra-Orthodox and N’turei Karta who separate themselves from the state of Israel, a distancing that at times takes a hostile, anti-Israel turn. 1

“One can regret that such disagreements exist, but they need to be acknowledged, and those who […] genuinely believe in human freedom and the freedom of consciousness must treat with respect even beliefs that they regard as wrong or tasteless or false; no one has the right to suppress them, not to use the power of the government, including power that is based on a majority, to oppress heart-felt beliefs […] . We must give full range freedom to all views and beliefs […]

In Jewish tradition there is a debate on whether a Jew is obligated to hold to some core beliefs, or just follow prescribed or prohibited mitzvoth (מצוות עשה ולא תעשה). In a Jewish state such a debate cannot be sustained; the state cannot demand beliefs and ideas […]. The state is in charge of regulating relations of persons and society with the state and on the nation’s relationships with members of the international family of nations. In these relationships the state acts according to the needs and values of the nation of Israel […] a Hebrew nation with a long and rich spiritual and cultural heritage forged through thousands of years and that left an impact on a number of world cultures. This long heritage includes values that are existential for the future of humanity, and undoubtedly are essential for the true redemption of Israel.”

David Ben-Gurion (standing) at the first Chess Championship in Israel, 1951. Emanuel Greengard. Wikipiki

1 David Ben-Gurion, “Noblesse Oblige”, in: Vision and Way, Am Oved Publication, 1958, Vol. 5 p. 119.