“I think Israelis should vote and determine Israel’s political and military actions without diaspora Jews telling them or pressuring them about what to do.“
The Interviewee – Peninnah Rachel, Director, UK.
Do you feel committed in some way to defend the future existence of Israel?
“Yes.”
Do you affiliate yourself with a specific denomination in Judaism? What is your view regarding the dominance of the Orthodox denomination in Israel religious establishment?
“The Orthodox have too much power obviously.”
Do you feel morally responsible for Israel’s actions (such as its management of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict)?
“I am insanely passionate about Israel and politics and I think Israel is moral. Someone who thought Israel was immoral would then think about being morally responsible. I think Israelis should vote and determine Israel’s political and military actions without diaspora Jews telling them or pressuring them about what to do.
“I am opposed to strengthening the terrorists and opposed to legitimising the terrorist mafia murderers. I oppose offering more territory power prestige legitimacy etc to the PA or Hamas or any terror group. I would like Israel to have control over all of historic Israel and certainly would not like Israel to donate further real estate or historic ancestral sites of the Jewish people to the terror mafia murderers.
“I would like the terror mafia murderers to face justice and if we had more power above the terrorist PA Hamas Arab regime perhaps we could do more to bring the terrorists to justice. There is a double standard. Only we are expected to offer our necks to the sacrificial knives etc. The World feels for Paris when terror strikes, but blames the Jews for those who hate us and wage a religious war against us. The War is a religious one, not a territorial one, etc.”
In your opinion, what is the main thing Israelis fail to understand about the reality of being Jewish outside of Israel?
“I don’t know.”
How would you describe Israel’s policy (formally and in practice) regarding its relationship with the Diaspora?
“I would not assume I can answer that.”
In your opinion, does Israel have an obligation to defend and help Jewish communities in need?
“Yes. Absolutely.”
Have you ever been to Israel? if you have, can you summarize your impressions from Israel?
“Israel is incredibly beautiful tolerant democratic and free, and people were loving outgoing warm etc. There is a lot of fear of terror. There is a lot of love of history and the Jewish people and our ancient homeland. We are a family.“
Can you tell us a bit about the Jewish community in your hometown?
“I grew up in a very diverse Jewish Community. It was more UnOrthodox when I was a kid. It is very ultra Orthodox now. My father moved to Israel about 17 years ago. He became Ultra Orthodox. The Modern Orthodox services emphasised doing the most one can do for the greater good. The more Ultra Orthodox emphasised doing the most one can do for the Jewish people and God. There is a lot of love warmth friendliness etc in the communities which intertwine or interconnect or overlap that I grew up in.”
If you could ask the Israeli readers of this project a question, what would it be?
“I guess I would wonder what assumptions they make about diaspora Jews.”
