Here are some nuggets from Rabbi Shlomo Riskin’s* public lecture tonight in Zurich. The lecture intended to explore Israel’s problems from both within and without and whether room for optimism exists. Since it’s quite late over here, further analysis will have to wait until next week, but in the meantime, some choice bits:
Barack Obama’s got it wrong. The current problems in Israel “have nothing to do with settlements,” but instead with the fact that [Arabs] “have never been able to compromise.”
On a two-state solution, “Jerusalem can also be divided,” with the conditionality that a synagogue be built on Temple Mount. (Riskin then claims he has someone ready to donate 100 grand for said synagogue.)
“When did Israelis stop believing in themselves?” On Israel’s problems from within, Riskin is deeply disturbed by what he believes is a disconnect between young Israelis and Jewish history and tradition. As such, many Israelis no longer feel a fundamental sense of obligation to their state.
“I am, and remain, extremely optimistic.” Some of the reasons he – some may call it delusional – retains this frame of mind: the growing relationship between Israel and the Christian community, as well as Israel’s situation with a larger “clash of civilizations”. The latter protects Israel from isolation, while the former provides a financial cushion.
Tune in next week for more.
*Riskin is rabbi of the Israeli settlement of Efrat.
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