Israel’s Social Contract Dilemma Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has faced some debate internationally regarding its new loyalty oath. The proposed oath, in its original form, required immigrants to swear loyalty to the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. The proposed law, seemingly punted by Yisrael Beiteinu and in a compromise to keep the coalition ship steady, has caused a stir across borders but also within Israel from various groups, including (and unsurprisingly from) the Arab block. The logic behind this naturally is to welcome citizens who support Israel and to make it clear that dissidents, whether ideological, ethnic or merely self-interested, are hindered in enjoying the fruits of Israel without supporting it.
Over the past few days though, Netanyahu, has returned to the sketching board and has redrafted the wording of the loyalty oath to include all immigrants, whether Jewish or otherwise to take this oath.
Of course, this dilution to make the oath uniform addresses the discrimination and selectivity of targeting “unloyal subjects”, but in typical Israeli politics, by Bebe trying to calm left and Arab concerns, he upsets others. Recent reports say that the Hareidi block will not be impressed with swearing loyalty to a state of which it has an icy acceptance. In one roll of the dice to keep the Russians happy, Netanyahu has managed to upset both the left and the right of the Knesset.
Of course, the loyalty oath in itself is obligatory on immigrants, but one has to ask, if someone has issue with coming to a country like Israel, then why would they object so to support its existence in the first place?
Mind you, do we change the anthem of the United Kingdom because it offends atheists, or change its flag because not everyone believes in its cross? One can also turn to America, and say that “I pledge allegiance to the flag” is insensitive to those who hate what the flag stands for? Surely that is ludicrous?
But at the same time, selective discrimination forcing “others” to pledge allegiance to Israel is wrong. If this loyalty oath comes into play, then it has to be uniform to everyone, regardless of their Jewish background or lack thereof. Perhaps the compromise is that everyone is welcome to the land of milk and honey, but if you want to eat from its fruits of citizenship, then there is a social contract you have to sign.
