Who would have believed but it is none other than Shas opposing calls to change the words of Israel’s national anthem, the Hatikvah. Interior Minister Eli Yishai said “We are a Jewish country with our heads held high, not heads held down.”
Facebook is the forum that was selected to gain momentum for the plan, to modify Hatikvah to remove the Jewish character of the national anthem. Yishai heard of the Facebook campaign, which apparently enjoys the support of Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, responding “I was shocked this morning when I heard of the social networking effort. There is an idea originating from Yesh Atid to remove the word ‘Yehudi (Jew)’ from the national anthem so that the Arab MKs will not have to leave the plenum when it is sung.”
“Yes, there are differences of opinion between us and Yesh Atid but I thought there are matters upon which there is is a consensus, including the fact that the State of Israel is a Jewish State. I am doubtful if Yesh Atid voters yearned for this change in the character of the nation. I wish to remind he who let us know that he studies Tanach of Bereshis Chapter 13 Pesukim 14-15.
‘וה’ אמר אל אברם, אחרי הפרד לוט מעמו, שא נא עיניך וראה, מן המקום אשר אתה שם צפנה ונגבה, וקדמה וימה. כי את כל הארץ אשר אתה ראה, לך אתננה, ולזרעך, עד עולם’
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
Why the surprise? Sha”s is an openly Zionist party. Harav Ovadia served as Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel, says Hallel on Yom HaAtzmaut (albeit, without a bracha) and says ‘Mi Sheberach’ for chayalei tzahal every shabbat.
And let’s not forget that Sha”s is a member of the World Zionist Organization – founded by Hertzl at the first Zionist congress in Basel as the umbrella organization for the Zionist movement.
Leaave the words as they are.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Bayit Yehudi: do you still want to go with Yesh Atid?
I “hear” the argument. Is it better to li’yos am chafshi min ha’mitzvos b’artzaynu or not to even mention anything Jewish with the m’dina. I don’t see it as a tzioni issue per se.