Archaeology in Israel is in crisis. It is in danger of being permanently killed. It has already been severely wounded. It is time for the international community to take note and rally in defense of the archaeological establishment.
The so-called ultra-Orthodox, the black-coated haredim, have enormous power in Israel because their representatives in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, hold the swing votes in a fragile government coalition led by the Likud party’s Benjamin Netanyahu. Time and again, Netanyahu finds himself servilely bowing to haredi demands as the price for their political support.
Now they are demanding the ouster of retired general Amir Drori, who heads the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA). They are also demanding representation at all excavations to ensure that no Jewish graves are excavated. (See “Battle Over Archaeology in Israel Reaches a Boil,” in this issue)
The issue is ostensibly the sanctity of Jewish burials. But this has nothing to do with the controversy. It is purely political—a matter of exerting political power.1 The issue regarding the bones of the deceased is simply an excuse.
The haredim have no case on the facts and no case on Jewish religious law (halakhah). The haredim claim that they have often found Jewish bones carelessly strewn around excavations because archaeologists have no concern for them. This is patently absurd. But they distribute pamphlets with photographs purportedly showing this. The fact is that the IAA’s professional archaeologists excavate with painstaking care. Upon excavating skeletal material, they promptly report the find and turn over the bones to the religious authorities for respectful and dignified reburial.
Moreover, it is simply not true that Jewish religious law prohibits the excavation of Jewish graves in all circumstances. We have several times cited eminent Jewish authorities on this subject and printed their opinions.2 According to Jewish religious law, when a grave is threatened with vandalism or looting, the bones must be removed and reinterred elsewhere where they can be protected. Some authorities state that bones can be moved for the public good (the Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel, Eliahu Bakshi-Doron, has recently backed this position). What is important is that they be reburied with dignity and respect.
Why is this issue being raised in Israel now?3 Simply because of coalition politics. Other political issues dividing Israeli society give the haredim particular power at this time, and the archaeological community is relatively defenseless politically. With this particular issue, the haredim are able to raise large sums of money from their supporters in the United States: Save the bones of our ancestors.
It is particularly disturbing to find an American congressman, Benjamin Gilman (R-NY), using his official office to investigate the matter. Needless to say Mr. Gilman represents a significant segment of ultra-Orthodox in his district.
Now is the time not only for archaeologists, but for all intellectuals, to rally behind 068Mr. Drori. I have had my well-known disagreements with Mr. Drori. (See my response to his most recent letter in this issue.) But on this issue he has my unflagging support. And I have always recognized his administrative competence, his integrity, his intelligence, his energy and his scientific approach to the discipline.
The truth is that even if Mr. Drori is not ousted, archaeology in Israel has been severely damaged. Mr. Drori has another two years before his term of office is up. It is highly unlikely that he will be appointed to a third five-year term. But who, in this political climate, will be willing to take his job? What person of sufficient stature and scientific devotion will willingly subject herself or himself to the abuse that Mr. Drori is presently taking? And, in these circumstances, will young women and men in Israel want to stake out careers for themselves as professional archaeologists? Matters have already gone too far. Irreparable damage has already been done. Let us do what we can to avert further damage.
Archaeology in Israel is in crisis. It is in danger of being permanently killed. It has already been severely wounded. It is time for the international community to take note and rally in defense of the archaeological establishment. The so-called ultra-Orthodox, the black-coated haredim, have enormous power in Israel because their representatives in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, hold the swing votes in a fragile government coalition led by the Likud party’s Benjamin Netanyahu. Time and again, Netanyahu finds himself servilely bowing to haredi demands as the price for their political support. Now they are demanding the ouster of retired […]
You have already read your free article for this month. Please join the BAS Library or become an All Access member of BAS to gain full access to this article and so much more.
