Q&A: How Should One Repent For Oslo?

 

Q. During the early months of the Oslo Agreements, I voted for a party that participated in carrying out these agreements with the Palestinian Authority. After I came to realize that the Oslo approach was entirely wrong, I was told that I must do official teshuva (repentance). Is this correct? If so, how does one do teshuva for this?

A. Every voter in a democracy bears responsibility for the results of his vote. It's true that no one's individual vote tips the scales one way or another. Still, each individual is a partner in determining important decisions, for better or worse. And since the Oslo Accords involve several grave sins – such as detracting from the security of Jews throughout Israel, violating the mitzvah of settling the Land of Israel, desecrating G-d's Name in giving a status of honor to murderers, causing economic harm to the State of Israel via the loss of jobs for many Jews – it is clear that whoever supported Oslo must do teshuva. 

The steps of teshuva are to sincerely regret the sin, to acknowledge it verbally, and to accept upon oneself never to return to this sin – in this case, not to ever vote for a party that supports withdrawing from parts of Eretz Yisrael. The damage must be countered: One who expressed his support for the withdrawal agreements in the presence of his friends, must similarly express his repentance in front of them. This is especially true for public figures and journalists who expressed support for these agreements with terrorists: They must utilize the same venue to show their regret. 

Afterwards, the Oslo penitent must try to rectify the wrongs in which he had a part. If he sought to garner support for the Oslo process, he should try to tip the scales in the other direction by convincing his friends not to support Oslo. Oslo supporters should also volunteer, to the best of their ability, to help victims of terrorism. And corresponding to their having harmed the safety and well-being of residents of Yesha, they should try to assist the small Yesha outposts, by doing guard duty or taking part in any other initiatives to develop the Jewish presence in Yesha. 

Answered by Rav Eliezer Melamed, yeshiva.co/ask, translated by Hillel Fendel