The cancer in the tissue of Israel's democratic society

Rabin's Assassination and the Rise of a New Israeli Reality

The assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in November 1995 was more than a tragic act of political violence; it was a chilling prophecy fulfilled, a stark warning of an ideological struggle that would come to define Israel's engagement with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Rabin, a decorated military leader turned peacemaker, was murdered by a Jewish extremist who opposed the Oslo Accords on religious grounds. His death, rooted in a fervent, messianic ideology, serves as a poignant anchor for understanding the growing political power of a religious establishment that now largely dictates Israel's approach to the conflict.

Rabin himself foresaw this internal threat. In a previously unpublicized 1976 interview, he famously, and controversially, described the nascent West Bank settlement movement, particularly Gush Emunim, as "comparable to a cancer in the tissue of Israel's democratic society". He warned that annexing the West Bank's Arab population would risk Israel becoming an "apartheid" state, a demographic threat to the Zionist vision of a Jewish and democratic nation. This was not mere rhetoric; it was a deep-seated concern about the very soul of Israel.

The "cancer" Rabin identified has metastasized, transforming from a fringe movement into a dominant force within the Israeli political landscape. Its roots lie in a reinterpretation of Jewish messianism, particularly through the teachings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook and his son, Zvi Yehuda Kook. They posited that secular Zionist efforts, including the establishment of the State of Israel, were unwitting steps towards divine redemption, and that the settlement of the Land of Israel was a sacred act to "hasten the Messiah's coming". The 1967 Six-Day War, with its capture of biblical lands, was seen as a miraculous divine intervention, solidifying this belief and fueling the urgency of settlement.

From this ideological crucible emerged movements like Gush Emunim in 1974, committed to establishing Jewish settlements across the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights. While Gush Emunim itself officially ceased operations, its legacy lives on through successors like the Yesha Council, the primary political umbrella for settlers , and the Religious Zionist Party, a key political force today.

This messianic religious establishment now wields significant political power, disproportionate to its demographic size. Settlers are overrepresented in government positions and within the leadership of nearly all right-wing parties. The Religious Zionist alliance, for instance, is the third-largest bloc in the Knesset, making it indispensable for forming governing coalitions.

This political clout directly shapes Israel's engagement with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through several key avenues:

Relentless Settlement Expansion: Driven by the belief in a divine mandate, settlements continue to expand at a rapid pace, with record numbers of housing units and the "legalization" of illegal outposts. This creates irreversible "facts on the ground," making a two-state solution increasingly difficult.

Opposition to a Two-State Solution: The core tenet of "Greater Israel" means a staunch rejection of any territorial compromise or the establishment of a Palestinian state. This ideological rigidity leaves little room for diplomatic solutions.

Judicial Overhaul: The push to curb the Supreme Court's power is directly linked to the "Greater Israel" agenda, as a weakened judiciary would remove obstacles to annexation and unfettered settlement expansion.

"Religionization" of Institutions: This influence extends to the military, with a significant increase of religious Zionists in combat units and officer ranks, leading to concerns about the "religionization" of IDF operations. The education system is also being reshaped to instill religious Zionist values, promoting a "Greater Israel" narrative and, critics argue, anti-Arab sentiments. Media outlets aligned with this ideology actively shape public discourse, reinforcing hardline positions and delegitimizing Palestinian perspectives.

Temple Mount Provocations: Actions by Jewish fundamentalists at the Temple Mount, including calls for the rebuilding of a Third Temple and demands for Jewish prayer rights at the site, are major flashpoints. These provocations are perceived as direct threats to Muslim holy sites and have historically sparked significant violence, including the Second Intifada.

The Gaza Conflict: A Crucible for Messianic Ambitions

The current war between Israel and Hamas is not merely a geopolitical clash; it is a deeply entrenched struggle fueled and exacerbated by the maximalist ideologies of Jewish messianic fundamentalism. This faction's influence is acutely felt in the conflict's dynamics and their long-term plans for Palestinians.

Impact on the Current Conflict:

The messianic faction's commitment to "Greater Israel" and the divine mandate to settle the land translates into concrete actions that directly ignite and intensify conflict. Settler violence in the West Bank surged significantly after October 7, 2023, with documented attacks on Palestinian communities, property, and even clashes with Israeli military forces attempting to contain the unrest. This violence is not merely reactive but serves a strategic purpose: to displace Palestinians and create irreversible "facts on the ground" that preclude any future territorial compromise. Furthermore, the use of religious rhetoric by Israeli leadership, such as Prime Minister Netanyahu's likening of Palestinians to Amalek, further frames the conflict in biblical terms, sacralizing the military response and potentially justifying extreme measures. This interplay of maximalist, religiously-driven goals contributes significantly to a cycle of escalation, making a political resolution extremely difficult.

Plans Regarding the Palestinians:

The messianic faction's vision for the Palestinians is stark and uncompromising. Their political platforms, particularly that of the Religious Zionist Party, explicitly advocate for the annexation of the entire West Bank, or at least Area C. Key leaders, such as Bezalel Smotrich, have aggressively promoted a "subjugation plan" intended "to erase all Palestinian national hope." This plan suggests that indigenous Palestinians who do not accept permanent subjugation under Jewish Israeli rule should voluntarily leave. For those who remain, the vision implies a second-class status, with some advocating for "taxes and slavery" for non-Jews who do not submit, and strict racial segregation.

The expansion of settlements and outposts, many of which are agricultural or herding outposts, is a direct manifestation of this plan. These outposts effectively control significant portions of Area C, making them off-limits to Palestinians and leading to the loss of Palestinian land and livelihoods. This includes restricting Palestinian access to vital resources like water and healthcare, further exacerbating their living conditions.

The internal ideological struggle within Israel, exacerbated by the growing influence of fundamentalist factions, can divert critical attention and resources from external security challenges. This internal discord potentially weakens national unity and resilience, complicating the country's ability to respond cohesively to the multifaceted threats it faces.

Conclusion

Rabin's assassination was a tragic turning point, but it was also a symptom of a deeper ideological divide that has only widened. The growing political power of the messianic Jewish religious establishment has fundamentally reshaped Israel's engagement with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, moving it further away from the pragmatic, two-state vision Rabin pursued. The challenge now is whether Israel can reconcile its democratic aspirations with the increasingly dominant religious-nationalist agenda, or if the "cancer" Rabin warned of will continue to consume the prospects for peace and a truly pluralistic society.