Tyrannical Democracy

By Rabbi Mordecai Rabinovitch
(Congregational Rabbi in Kochav Yaacov, former secretary of Yesha Rabbinical Council)

It is well known that "freedom of speech" is a supreme value in any democratic regime. In the U.S. Bill of Rights, the very first amendment addresses freedom of speech, press, religion and petition. Freedom of speech has always been a definitive characteristic of a free regime; totalitarian regimes in contrast are characterized by repression of basic freedoms. How shocking it is, therefore, that within the space of a single week, two separate attempts have been made by a regime, that constantly touts its "democracy", to silence the mouths of those who dare utter opinions inconsistent with those of the establishment.

In the first case, Dr. David Bukai, a highly regarded expert on Middle Eastern affairs, who lectures in the University of Haifa, was presented with an ultimatum: Either sign a document expressing regret over various utterances (attributed to the professor) and make a written commitment to refrain from such utterances in the future - or face prosecution. In the most recent case, Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, head of the Har Brachah Hesder Yeshivah, and rabbi of the community, was commanded to either sign a certain letter expressing somebody else's opinion - or else have the arrangement between his yeshivah and the Israel Army terminated. In both cases, the ultimatum was served in a most undignified manner, reminiscent of tyrannical regimes.

The Ministry of Defense went as far as releasing a statement to the press to the effect that "the deeds and words of Rabbi Melamed undermine the foundations of Israeli democracy". And here I thought in my naivete that it is precisely the silencing of contrary opinion that undermines democracy...

Another gem from that same press release: "[the words of the rabbi] encouraged and incited some of his students to insubordination, petitions, and damage to the spirit of the IDF". Hmm! Perhaps the guilt should be sought in the offices of the Ministry of Defense itself! Is it possible that the cynical use of the IDF to expel loyal citizens from their homes is what encouraged 'insubordination and petitions'? Maybe the threat to democracy and freedom comes precisely from the regime which treats loyal civilian populations as though these were an enemy of the State?

I heard from students who emigrated to Israel from the former Soviet Union, that under the communist regime, any official actions that were taken to quash free speech by citizens, were always anchored in "the law". So? Did that make the actions morally acceptable? Did that turn the communist regime into a democracy?

The truth is that the abuse by the government of its authority, on the one hand, and the repression of basic human rights, on the other, are what constitute a genuine threat to democracy and freedom.

Our Sages said long ago (Kiddushin 70b): one who attributes fault to others is himself guilty of that fault. It would seem that those who are constantly pontificating on the sanctity of democracy need a thorough overhaul in this regard. The corruption rampant in the halls of government must be completely eradicated; the patronizing attitude to anyone who thinks differently must go. Otherwise, the government itself constitutes a threat to the democratic nature of the State of Israel.