The religious-oriented website Srugim published an article claiming that the role of "secular Zionism" has ended. The author, Rabbi Daniel Sagron, draws on the writings of Rabbi Kook (Hara'ayah).

"This moment," wrote Rabbi Sagron in reference to the Israeli attacks on Iran, "will be remembered as the time when secular Zionism completed its historical role – to establish a safe haven for the people of Israel. The stage of Messiah son of Joseph, as outlined by Rabbi Kook in his essay The Eulogy in Jerusalem, has ended. Now comes the next, main stage."

Rabbi Sagron also called, in an article published June 22, for the establishment of a Sanhedrin (An ancient religious judicial assembly) to replace the Israeli court system, "so that the people of Israel will live according to the Torah of the Land of Israel as described by Rabbi Kook in Lights of the Torah."

"The role of Zionism ended last night," the article on Srugim declared. "Bibi finished, now it's our turn," Rabbi Sagron concluded his article, words that were also chosen as the column's headline.

The writings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaCohen Kook (1856-1935), founder of the Chief Rabbinate, are popular in religious Zionism, but those who see him as a spiritual leader are people of the Chardal stream, An ultra-Orthodox movement within religious Zionism.

The movement produced the Kav Yeshivas led by Har HaMor Yeshiva (headed by Rabbi Zvi Tau); the first pre-military preparatory programs led by Bnei David Preparatory School (headed by Rabbis Eli Sadan and Yigal Levenstein); and the Noam party (whose Knesset representative is Deputy Minister Avi Maoz) that fights against liberal and secular values, LGBTQ rights and women's rights.

Rabbi Daniel Segron, screenshot from the YouTube channel "The Daily Hap"

The article received harsh reactions, including in comments on the website itself. "You want to turn Israel into a dictatorial religious state. You exploited secular pluralism for your religious purposes. With your aspirations, you will destroy the only home the Jewish people have," claimed the first response to the article.

"And again the Chardal preaches with the familiar stupid sermons," asserted the second response. "Is this your 'together we will win'? A website full of division and hatred of Israel," declared the third. "Only thanks to secular Zionism are you here," stated the fourth. "Just move to Iran and that's it," claimed the fifth. And so on.

In light of the harsh reactions, Srugim published another column by Rabbi Sagron, under the headline "Apology and Clarification," stating that Sagron did not intend for the renewal of the Sanhedrin and the elimination of secular Zionism to be done by force, but rather it is a "legitimate religious aspiration."

According to Sagron, demographic trends will lead to religious people becoming a majority in the State of Israel, which will thus naturally become a religious state. However, those who wish to do so will be allowed to maintain a secular lifestyle in their private homes.

History of Violence

This is not the first time that Srugim, one of the leading religious Zionist websites in Israel, has caused a stir and received harsh criticism.

In August 2024, an article by former deputy director of Chonenu, Uri Kirshenbaum, was published on the website, calling for action in the West Bank like in the Gaza Strip, "in an almost indiscriminate manner of buildings and high-rises, with absolute knowledge that masses of children and mothers would be killed."

In October 2023, an article by Professor Yoel Elitzur was published on Srugim claiming that the October 7th disaster and the massacre carried out by Hamas against the residents of Israel was punishment that God imposed on secular Jews, LGBTQ people and leftists, and that the massacre was carried out against the kibbutz residents in the South because they believed in the possibility of peace with Arab neighbors.

Published in Hebrew at June 24 2005