The main part of the address was devoted to the question of maintaining Jewish unity on the basis of cooperation between the secular and the orthodox in Israel, and the issue of non- Orthodox conversions. On the issue of religious pluralism in Israel, the prime minister expressed the hope that a special ministerial committee appointed in January 1987 to examine the question of conversion abroad of people who come to Israel on aliyah will help resolve the issue. But the gaps were too broad, and therefore the government was looking into the possibility of creating "some agreed consulting mechanism that would be widely recognized and supported. Text:
Mr. President, Distinguished Judges and Lawyers, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In congratulating the United States on the Bicentennial of the Constitution, we expressed our admiration for a document that has become a pillar of democracy, freedom and justice, setting an example to many other nations that share the same values and hopes. We, as a young democracy, regard the U.S. Constitution as an important achievement in the history of nations. In time, the original Constitution, subject to amendment, evolved into the Bill of Rights.
When our State was established forty years ago, the original thinking did, indeed, involve a written constitution. Nevertheless, because of difficulties in a number of areas, no such constitution was adopted. Instead, a procedure of an "evolving constitution" was introduced - namely the enactment of basic laws to be finally incorporated in a full-fledged constitution.
Meanwhile, our Supreme Court has been the guardian of human and civil rights, and it has done so with high integrity and with great devotion, to which we all, as a State, as a Government and a society, pay tribute.
Over the years, the Knesset has produced an immense work of legislation which has developed a legal system, built on foundations of that unique mixture between Ottoman Law, British Law, Religious Law in the area of personal status, and a modern body of law covering most aspects of life in this country.
Deriving from modern and common law systems in the U.S. and England and other countries and, last but not least, from the rich wells of Jewish Law, our new legislation is a source of pride to all of us. As a former Speaker of the Knesset, I am pleased to express appreciation to the Knesset for its great work. Still, there is much to be done by all of us.
My friends, the uniqueness of the State of Israel and of the entire Jewish people is reflected in our present difficulties regarding the question of converts and Shabbat Observance.
My hope as prime minister is to find a basis of cooperation between all elements in Israel - the Orthodox and the non-Orthodox; between those who strictly observe the Shabbat and those who observe our day of rest in their own way.
A profound misunderstanding has emerged in respect to the conversion problem. Therefore, let me state clearly that nobody has ever questioned the validity of any Jew - be he Orthodox, Conservative or Reform. There is simply no basis for the allegation that there are attempts to delegitimize any section of our people as a group or as individuals. Jews who are members of the Conservative Movement or the Reform Movement and their children are warmly welcome in this country.
Questions have been raised - and they are not uncharacteristic of Jewish History - on the validity of some conversions. In my view, there has been considerable exaggeration on this point, and many of us would, for the time being, prefer not to have this subject raised at all.
Nevertheless, it is a fact that the Law of Return has, for seventeen years, included a definition which in the view of part of our society needs clarification. This is the source of the legislative efforts by some parties in the Knesset.
It is my sincere desire to achieve on this question - as in so many other national questions - a consensus that will encompass Jews in our country and Jews living abroad. I can only hope that this will be possible.
That is why we established in January of this year a special Ministerial Committee, which is chaired by me and includes the Vice Premier, the Minister of Religious Affairs and Ministers representing the other parties in the Coalition. The mandate of the Commission is to examine the question of the conversion abroad of persons who come here on aliyah.
The Commission was charged with the task of communicating with knowledgeable persons, both in Israel and in World Jewry. The Commission's conclusions and recommendations are to be by consensus.
As an interim report I can say that until now the Committee and, in particular, a special Sub-Committee, have met a great number of times and have conferred with scores of experts from many aspects of Jewish life. These meetings amounted, practically, to what Americans know as Committee hearings.
In addition, we have held informal discussions with many personalities here and abroad. On my last visit to the United States I held a meeting with leaders of the Orthodox, Conservative and Reform communities. The Ministerial Committee consulted leaders of various organizations, academic personalities, legal experts from the United States, Europe and Israel. In the last month or two I receive the leaders of the major Jewish organizations, who came specially to present the views and sentiments of their communities.
It will not surprise you when I say that their views covered a wide range of opinions, and that they differ from each other in many respects. It is now our task to find a consensus, to find a formula that would be acceptable, entirely or in part, to the different elements concerned.
The Committee has before it some suggestions that are legislative in nature. We have proposals either for the amendment of the Law of Return, or the Law of Registration. We have proposals to amend the law relating to the power of the Chief Rabbinate. There are proposals to preserve the existing status quo which, in itself, is somewhat vague, and we also have proposals for administrative procedures.
From the material studied by the Committee it seems that the differences between the extremes are rather big and even the more moderate views do not, as yet, offer the possibility of a solution that would satisfy all sides. Jewish History has shown that, in matters of religion, very few people would change their entrenched ideas.
Therefore, we are now looking into the possibility of creating some agreed consulting mechanism that would be widely recognized and supported. We realize, of course, that this will not, of itself, prevent some parties or individuals in the Knesset from continuing their legislative efforts to secure a Knesset majority for their viewpoint.
However, we shall go on with our work together with all individuals and Jewish organizations who are interested in finding an agreed approach and solution. I realize this may not be easy, but we will not give up hope.
I firmly believe that, despite the things that divide our people, there is much more that unites us and that, if we persevere and show tolerance for each other's viewpoints, we will find an appropriate answer. We are conscious of the fact that our present efforts - no matter how difficult and painful - will lay the foundation for a more united, a more understanding and a more tolerant Jewish nation for generations to come.
The subject I have raised is a matter of much concern and publicity, but we face many other problems, challenges and opportunities. I want to refer to one matter that was brought to my attention in the last few days.
I have learned with satisfaction that your Organization is actively involved in the struggle against the anti-Zionist forces or, shall I say, the new form of anti-Semitism which is expressed through the grotesque United Nations Resolution equating Zionism with Racism. This is a canard and a libel that we must combat and erase. Therefore, I was encouraged to learn that you are, in fact, developing new approaches to the struggle against this evil. I can imagine lawyers throughout the world taking the offensive in the spirit of Emile Zola's "J'accuse." I wish you success in this struggle, which assumes historic dimensions.
And lastly, my friends, I cannot conclude these remarks without a few words about what happened earlier this week. I refer, of course, to the decision in regard to the Lavi project. I regret the decision very much.
I would like, at this early stage, to express our satisfaction - and even great pride - in the work of the Israel Aircraft Industry, which has made our small country one of the few in the world with the technological capacity to produce one of the most sophisticated aircraft in the world. That capacity must be preserved and constantly enhanced. We must do everything in our power to prevent a brain-drain, which could have grave consequences for the nation. After all, it is brainpower that gives Israel the qualitative edge over the numerical advantages of our enemies.
Despite the setback and the disappointment, there is much to be done. We must roll up our sleeves and go forward, always forward.
My friends, we are approaching Rosh Hashanah, which, this year, also inaugurates the celebration of forty years of our renewed Statehood. This is an important milestone in our people's forward march. As we look back along the road we are moved and inspired by what has been accomplished in a relatively short time. Now we must be strong, determined and ready for the challenges and the tasks that await us and future generations.
I take this opportunity of wishing you and your families a Shana Tova. May it be a year of good health, personal achievement and success in your important public work, and may it be a year of consolidation, peace and further progress for Am Yisrael and Eretz Israel.