The Roots of Religious Zionism

Religious Zionism is a belief system that combines religion with political Zionism. It started in the early 20th century when Avraham Kook, the chief rabbi of the Jewish community in Palestine, supported the idea of a Jewish state. He believed that this secular nationalist movement was part of a divine plan for the Jewish people.

Unlike some other religious groups, religious Zionists didn't think they had to wait for the Messiah to establish a Jewish state. They believed in working towards it in the present.

The 1973 War as a Turning Point

The 1973 war was a big moment for Israel. It made people lose confidence in the left-controlled government and led to the rise of religious Zionist leaders. They formed a group called Gush Amunim, which aimed to protect the gains made in the 1967 war by promoting settlements in Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Because of their efforts, the number of settlers in the West Bank grew from 2,800 in 1977 to half a million today. This coincided with the Zionist right's victory in the Knesset elections in 1977.

Religious Zionism also opposed the Oslo Accords, which were agreements between Israel and the Palestinians to give up some land. They believed that the land belonged to them and protested against giving it away.

Withdrawal from Gaza

In 2005, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon decided to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank. This shocked religious Zionist groups because they believed in settling the land and didn't want to give it up.

They realized that their strategy of settling the land to prevent evacuation had failed. They had two choices: either fight against the government's decisions or respect them and maintain unity. They chose the latter option.

After the withdrawal, religious Zionists focused on gaining power within state institutions and political parties. They joined the Likud Party and increased their presence in the Israeli army and police.

Reaching Power and Current Situation

Religious Zionism is made up of different groups with varying beliefs, but they all agree on rejecting the evacuation of settlements, annexing the West Bank, justifying violence against non-Jews, and striving to build the Temple.

They make up about 10% of the Israeli population, with an estimated 600 thousand people.

In recent years, religious Zionists formed their own political parties, and, in the 2022 elections, they joined forces with Benjamin Netanyahu's government. This gave them important ministerial positions and influence over decision-making.

The Impact of Religious Zionism in Israel

Within a short period of time after the Netanyahu government came into power, there have been several concerning incidents involving religious Zionism. Let's take a closer look at some of these events and their consequences.

Actions of Ben Gvir and Minister Smotrich

Ben Gvir, a minister in the Netanyahu government, stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque multiple times, causing tension and unrest. Minister Smotrich even called for the eradication of a village near Nablus. These actions, along with Smotrich's statement that the Palestinian people are a recent invention, have added to the conflict between settlers and Palestinians.

Repeal of the Disengagement Law

In a controversial move, the Knesset approved the repeal of the disengagement law. This law required the removal of a ban on entry and residence in four settlements in the northern West Bank. This decision has sparked further debate and tension in the region.

Efforts to Increase Jewish Settlers

Minister Smotrich has been actively working to increase the number of Jewish settlers in the West Bank. He has given legitimacy to the construction of new settlement outposts and allocated a significant portion of the Ministry of Transportation's budget for settlement development. These actions have led to increased attacks on Palestinians by extremist groups.

Religious Zionism after October 7

During the Israeli aggression on Gaza in October, the influence of religious Zionism suffered a blow. Prime Minister Netanyahu formed a war government with left-wing figures who had military experience. This reduced the role of religious Zionist ministers in security decision-making.

Displacement and Attacks

Minister Ben Gvir focused on supporting the plan to displace Palestinians from the West Bank. This has resulted in an increase in armed settler attacks, leading to the displacement of Palestinian communities and the loss of lives. The policies of religious Zionist ministers have contributed to political polarization within Israel and increased tensions in Palestine.

Diminishing Political Influence

After the war, the political influence of religious Zionist ministers is expected to diminish. The Netanyahu government's failure to address security concerns and the involvement of former ministers with military experience from the left have weakened their position. Their actions have caused a major security disaster for Israel.

Source: Al Jazeera + agencies