Fania Oz-Salzberger's But Is It Good For Democracy?

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I recently read the article, “But is it Good for Democracy?” by Fania Oz-Salzberger. She is a professor at the University of Haifa and the Leon Liberman Chair in Modern Israel Studies at Monash University. Her article poses a very difficult question, “Can Israel be Jewish and democratic?” (2010). Israel is staying true to their culture, history and faith. I believe that Israel cannot be both at the same time.
Western societies easily overlook that fact that God created Israel. “I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel's Creator, your King." (Isaiah 43:15). The Old Testament states clearly that God created the state of Israel and their purpose was to serve God. Israel has not always stayed true to their faith and for that God has punished them several times. The Israelites were punished for breaking God’s Covenant. “The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD hath spoken this word. The earth mourned and faded away, the world languished and faded away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.” (Isaiah 24:3-5). Israel knows the Wrath of God too well. Israel is not willing to provoke God’s anger by removing Him from their society.
According to Fania Oz-Salzberger, “Significantly, the term democracy does not appear in Israel's declaration of independence (also known as "The Scroll").” But the term Jewish and its derivatives emerge twenty-five times, and the phrase Jewish State five times. The document nevertheless speaks to non-Jews-loudly, liberally, and humanely.” (2010). This is a key point in understanding Israel’s relationship with God. ...

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... don’t mix. I know have a deeper understanding of that saying. God has set forth his Rule of Law to be our political guide. God would have communicated a political system, if that was something that God had intended us to utilize. Fania Oz-Salzberger’s opinion is one that would be strongly favored by the ACLU. She over looks that fact that Israel is not a traditional country that was created with borders. Israel was created as God’s people. The people of Israel have been tested throughout history and this is merely a modern test for them. They cannot maintain one foot in the church and one foot in the world. They might as well take on foot out of the church and firmly plant them into the world in which they are putting their faith. A political system will fail, because man has created it. By placing you faith and trust into God, all things are possible.

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