Michael Melchior: 'We can make peace with the whole of the Arab and Muslim world'

There is a time to wage wars, Rabbi Michael Melchior says, and there is a time to make peace. An internationally renowned Jewish leader, thinker, and activist, he has long dedicated his life to fighting for human rights and peace—whether for Soviet Jews in the 1960s or Palestinians and Israelis in 2024. In the past, he was a representative of the Meimad Knesset Party, International Director of the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity, and founder with the late Sheikh Abdullah Nimer Darwish of the Religious Peace Initiative, where he is still active today. The list of his accolades and accomplishments are long. Now, he joins Sruli Fruchter to answer 18 questions on Israel, including the Israel-Hamas War, prayer after October 7, and why peace is still possible. This interview was held on Dec. 25. Here are our 18 questions: As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history? What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas? How have your religious views changed since Oct. 7? What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for? Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy? Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same? Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism? Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic? Should Israel be a religious state? If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin? Should all Israelis serve in the army? 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? What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today? Do you think the State of Israel is part of the final redemption? Is Messianism helpful or harmful to Israel? Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime? Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”? Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?