Reading Avram Burg

Four years after leaving Israeli politics Avram Burg, former speaker of Knesset and Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel is now a citizen of France and a successful businessman. Burg hit the headlines last year upon the release of his book, “Defeating Hitler”, which expresses a harsh attitude toward ‘Israeliness’ and Israelis.

In reading groups that meet on a weekly basis, Mandel fellows read “Defeating Hitler”, and had the opportunity to question Burg when he visited the Mandel Leadership Institute (MLI) recently. Dr. Motti Shalem, Director of the Mandel IDF Leadership Development Program, facilitated the reading group.
“Defeating Hitler” is an attractive choice,” said Dr. Shalem, “it is a book which asks questions on identity and Israeli society, and touches upon many of the issues the fellows are examining in the course of their studies at the Mandel Leadership Institute.”

Burg’s audience were a mixed group of Jews, Muslims, religious, and secular, with differing opinions on his book and the controversial claims made within it about the State of Israel. Mandel Fellows came with challenging questions for the man who claims to like argument and debate because “it is a tool of creation”.

In his book, Burg addresses his complex relationship with Zionism and said that since its publication, he has often been asked if he is a Zionist.
 “It is a simple question which has been bothering me for many years,” he admitted. “I define Zionism as a chapter, not a book, but a defining chapter,” he told the fellows. “I think it was Ben-Gurion who said that the Zionist movement was the scaffolding to build the home, and that after the state's establishment it should be dismantled."

Burg, who describes himself as a citizen of the world, and in his book calls on everyone who can to obtain a foreign passport, was asked by a fellow if his obtaining a French passport and voting in the French Presidential elections was merely a provocation?
“The passport is a metaphor,” replied Burg. “I look at Israel on the one hand and myself on the other hand. Israel takes advantage of the dual loyalty of Jews in the world which is a dangerous game. As an Israeli I want to exercise my dual responsibility. I am a citizen of the world and I want to express dual loyalty and dual responsibility. If I can influence, I will.”

Fellows discussed with Burg trips to Poland and issues of forming Jewish and Israeli identity. Questions were also raised about Arab citizens of Israel, whom Burg described as a significant factor in defining his own identity.
“I want a state in which there will be ‘others’”, said Burg. “The dialogue between Jews and Arabs is essential.”

Fellows, who have been delving into and encountering different sectors of society throughout their studies, said they found Burg's book thought-provoking.