Rivka Ravitz Answers 18 Questions on Israeli Politics, the Draft, and Israel as a Religious State

Rivka Ravitz may be a long-time Haredi political thinker, but that doesn't mean she thinks politics is always the answer. Since her father-in-law first employed her in the Knesset at age 18, Rivka has spend decades working in Israeli politics. She was chief of staff to President Reuven Rivlin and a senior fellow at the Jewish Public Policy Institute; now she is chief of staff to the mayor of Bet Shemesh. Rivka is intimately involved in the personal and political sphere of Haredi life—a focus of her PhD, which she is pursuing at Haifa University. Now, she joins us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including Israeli politics, the Haredi draft, and Israel as a religious state. This interview was held on Sept. 24. Into: 0:00 0:11 1. As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history? 3:26 2. What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas? 4:42 3. How have your religious views changed since Oct. 7? 10:24 4. What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for? 12:01 5. Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy? 13:55 6. Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same? 14:42 7. Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism? 16:38 8. Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic? 20:02 9. Should Israel be a religious state? 30:48 10. If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin? 25:25 11. Should all Israelis serve in the army? 32:53 12. Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — even in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism? 34:30 13. What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today? 38:22 14. Do you think the State of Israel is part of the final redemption? 36:56 15. What should happen with Gaza and the hostages as the conflict progresses? 39:31 16. Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime? 43:27 17. Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”? 44:44 18. Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?