Israel The rabbi in the Gulf Marc Schneier builds bridges between and

By Gidi Grinstein

WITH THE Middle East in turmoil, Israel is captured in a book he co-authored with Schneier’s journey in the Gulf began with and Arab nations in the Arabian Gulf are Shamsi Ali titled Sons of Abraham, his participation at the groundbreaking con- seeking common ground in attempts to which was written with the support of His ference hosted by King Abdullah of Saudi strengthen relations and ultimately estab- Majesty King Mohammed VI, King of Mo- Arabia when he launched the Kingdom’s lish diplomatic ties. As Israeli politicians rocco. The book illuminates how its co-au- interfaith initiative in Madrid in 2009. Sub- venture into Gulf countries or confer with thors came to embrace their pluralistic ver- sequently King Abdullah introduced him to Arab leaders around the world, most recent- sion of faith. The two shared their outlook King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, ly in Warsaw, for 15 years there has been with audiences not only in the US but also who introduced him to the Emir of Qatar, one man who has consistently built such in Muslim countries including , who introduced him to the royal families of bridges on behalf of Israel and the Jewish Azerbaijan and Qatar. the United Arab Emirates. He now sits on people in , Bahrain, Qatar and As the pioneer of Muslim-Jewish rela- the boards of most of their interfaith cen- the United Arab Emirates, making the im- tions, Rabbi Schneier has taken a strong ters. In the last decade, he has keynoted possible possible. stance not just for Israel and on behalf of the the Doha International Center for Interfaith His name is Rabbi Marc Schneier, now Jewish people but also against Islamopho- Dialogue (DICID) and global interreligious 60, and he has been meeting with kings, bia and anti-Muslim bigotry. He has as- conferences in Israel, Azerbaijan, Kazakh- emirs and government ministers with an sumed leadership roles in the annual Season stan, Morocco, , Ukraine, Austria, agenda of peace with Israel and reconcili- of Twinning of Mosques and Synagogues France, United Kingdom, Belgium, Mexi- ation among Muslims and Jews worldwide. across the globe; the Muslims Are Speaking co, Argentina, Spain and Italy. How does a modern-Orthodox rabbi from Out campaign against ; the an- Schneier’s outspoken support of Israel the ultra-chic, celebrity-filled Hamptons be- nual meetings of the Gathering of European makes his position unique. Israel is prom- come the “rabbi in the Gulf?” Marc Schnei- Muslim and Jewish Leaders (GEMJL) in inent on his agenda, especially when it er’s trademark is a combination of vision, Paris and Brussels; multiple unity missions comes to building strong political, dip- consistency and determination, with a gen- to the United States by Muslim and Jewish lomatic, economic and cultural relations erous dollop of chutzpah. The Foundation leaders from Europe, South America and between the Jewish state and Arab and for Ethnic Understanding (FFEU), which the Southern Hemisphere; and in the North Muslim countries. He is particularly proud he founded in 1989, originally focused on American Summit of Rabbis and of his efforts to enlighten Muslim lead- bridging the chasm between African Ameri- held in New York in 2007. His efforts earned ers, especially in Gulf countries, about the cans and Jews, but for the past 15 years, this him the honor of becoming the first Jewish centrality of the land of Israel to Judaism. organization has become the global address leader to be named Grand Marshal of the “There used to be a tendency to bifurcate for Muslim-Jewish relations. His outlook 2017 Muslim Day Parade in New York. Israel and Judaism. They would say, “we COURTESY

Rabbi Schneier (sixth from left) and his delegation meet with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev in early March

28 THE JERUSALEM REPORT APRIL 8, 2019 have nothing against Jews. It’s Israelis and Gulf States] with Israel in stabilizing the Zionists we have a problem with.” They Middle East by ending the danger from

now realize that Israel is at the core of the Iran.” He notes that “many Israelis mistak- COURTESY Jewish faith and it is therefore impossible enly believe that Gulf leadership no longer to separate world Jewry and Israel.” cares about the Palestinians. There is noth- Schneier has used his congregational ing further from the truth.” leadership and pulpit at The Hampton Syn- However, the good news from Israel’s agogue to host heads of state, politicians, perspective is an important change in nu- academics and other dignitaries to promote ance. Schneier used to hear Gulf leaders his outlook. That work was rewarded when say, “Let the Israelis and Palestinians work King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain out their differences and then call us.” Now invited members of his congregation to he hears, “Let the Israelis and Palestinians be the first synagogue mission to visit the be in discussion – and at the same time we Kingdom and meet with the country’s in- can discuss establishing relations.” Un- digenous Jewish community. That remark- doubtedly, while much progress has been able trip took place in February 2018 and made, finding a solution to the intractable the delegation’s next stop was Israel, where Palestinian issue is essential for the full suc- Schneier, interviewed on TV about the un- cess of his life’s work. usual trip, predicted that the Gulf and Israel Schneier repeatedly speaks about the gen- would establish diplomatic relations within uine desire of Gulf States for interfaith dia- two years. He also anticipated that Bahrain logue and activities. He says that the change would be the first Gulf State to do so. in their attitude makes it inevitable for future Indeed, a few months thereafter, King evolution in their positions vis-à-vis Israel Hamad and the Royal Court of Bahrain ap- and the Jewish people. This newfound inter- pointed Rabbi Schneier as special advisor to est stems from two existentialist threats: the the King, not only with regards to its rela- diminishing demand for oil, which forces tions with Israel and the Jewish People but them to diversify their economies, and the also with regards to preserving and growing security threats from Iran in the war be- the local Jewish community. Shortly there- tween Sunnis and Shi’ites. The Gulf nations after, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates know that Israel can help them in both cas- also elicited Rabbi Schneier’s help in build- es. In fact, a number of Gulf leaders were ing Jewish life in their countries. His first very direct in telling him, “With our wealth project was working with Hassan Al-Tha- and resources and Israel’s brain trust and wadi, the Secretary General of the 2022 technology, we could build the most power- World Cup, to bring kosher food to Qatar ful region in the world.” Furthermore, Gulf for the prestigious games. States understand that their relations with One measure of Schneier’s influence is Israel and the Jewish community are key for that he has managed to maintain cordial re- better engagement with the Trump adminis- Rabbi Marc Schneier, president of The lations with both factions in the Gulf Coop- tration and the United States Congress, and Foundation for Ethnic Understanding eration Council (GCC) — with Saudi Ara- for credibly establishing their stature as tol- bia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, erant open societies. recognition of that Jewish community by on one side, and with Qatar, supported by Some of the stories told by Schneier UAE officials. Oman and Kuwait, on the other side. Indeed would have been inconceivable a decade or Future relations with Israel also have new it seems that the issues of Israel and the a generation ago. His current roadmap in- horizons. Gulf leaders share their overrid- relations with the Jewish People now tran- cludes opening synagogues and bringing in ing interest and genuine desire to make it scend both sides of that rift. kosher food as a part of an ongoing effort happen. They hold diplomatic relations to Schneier’s experience gives him a unique of bridge-building among the Abrahamic be a win-win, where they benefit from Is- perspective on the ongoing debate regard- faiths. Recently, as a guest of the United rael’s technology, while Israel benefits from ing the centrality of the Israeli-Palestinian Arab Emirates, he joined UAE leaders in their economic resources. A senior Saudi conflict to the relations of Israel with the welcoming Pope Francis to the Arabian official put it to him bluntly, “The kingdom Gulf States. In a 2018 Newsweek op-ed, Peninsula, where the Muslim Council of El- knows Israel is an integral part of achieving he claimed that “no matter what we do in ders and Pope Francis convened the Glob- their 2030 economic plan.” Nothing less. ■ the Diaspora to improve relations, our two al Conference of Human Fraternity in Abu communities will never be able to fully Dhabi. This was the first visit of any Pope to Gidi Grinstein is the founder and p esident come together as friends and allies while that region. Rabbi Schneier addressed this of The Reut Institute, a Tel Aviv-based non- the Israeli-Palestinian conflict grinds on forum, after delivering a Shabbat sermon profit and nonpartisan institution. He recent- without resolution.” This reality is notwith- to the Jewish community in Dubai. It was ly joined an interfaith mission organized by standing “broad confluence of interests [of a historic weekend celebrating the official Rabbi Schneier to Azerbaijan

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