Two Rabbis, worlds apart in Israel

Published: March 15, 2023, 4:59 p.m.

When we think of division in the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict normally comes straight to mind. But there\u2019s a new and dangerous tension in Israel \u2013 between its own Jewish people. The country now has its most right-wing government for decades, with controversial figures who\u2019ve advocated violence and divisive policies. There\u2019s also a plan to change the judicial system to give Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a small number of government figures vast control. Its critics say Israel is in danger of becoming a \u2018democratic dictatorship\u2019.\n \nThis political shift is now pitting ordinary Israeli Jews against each other. The ultra-orthodox Haredim and their conservative supporters are at odds with more liberal elements of society. Former Defence Minister Benny Gantz \u2013 a powerful figure in the former government \u2013 has even raised the spectre of a civil war in Israel, telling the new politicians that they\u2019ll be responsible if a new conflict breaks out.\n \nAs efforts are made to maintain peace and hold the country together, the BBC\u2019s Middle East Correspondent Yolande Knell meets two rabbis who are odds with one another in the heart of Jerusalem. Surrounded by the religious iconography that should symbolise the links between them, she explores why the two ends of the spectrum now find themselves so far apart. And she tries to persuade them to come together over a meal to find out if there\u2019s any way to bridge the gaping political and theological differences in their thinking. But will they be willing to meet?

Presenter: Yolande Knell\nProducer: Rajeev Gupta \nEditor: Helen Grady\nProduction Coordinator: Mica Nepomuceno