{"id":15328,"date":"2025-01-29T08:22:24","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T04:52:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328"},"modified":"2025-01-29T08:22:54","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T04:52:54","slug":"israel-support-of-shoghi-effendi-and-the-bahai-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Israel Support of Shoghi Effendi and the Baha\u2019i Community"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_71 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">\u0622\u0646\u0686\u0647 \u062f\u0631 \u0627\u062f\u0627\u0645\u0647 \u0645\u06cc \u062e\u0648\u0627\u0646\u06cc\u062f<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#_Abstract\" title=\"\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Abstract\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Abstract<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Bahai_expressions_of_support_for_the_Jewish_state\" title=\"Baha\u2019i expressions of support for the Jewish state\">Baha\u2019i expressions of support for the Jewish state<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Bahai_Support_for_Israel\" title=\"Baha\u2019i Support for Israel\">Baha\u2019i Support for Israel<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Pilgrimage_and_Settlement\" title=\"Pilgrimage and Settlement\">Pilgrimage and Settlement<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Bahai_and_Israeli_Relations\" title=\"Baha\u2019i and Israeli Relations\">Baha\u2019i and Israeli Relations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Promotion_of_Israels_Image\" title=\"Promotion of Israel\u2019s Image\">Promotion of Israel\u2019s Image<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#i\" title=\"\u00a0\">\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Israeli_officials_express_support_for_the_Bahais\" title=\"Israeli officials express support for the Baha\u2019is\">Israeli officials express support for the Baha\u2019is<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Tax_Exemption_Case\" title=\"Tax Exemption Case\">Tax Exemption Case<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Public_Access_to_Gardens\" title=\"Public Access to Gardens\">Public Access to Gardens<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Definition_of_Worship_Space\" title=\"Definition of Worship Space\">Definition of Worship Space<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Bahai_land_and_building_projects\" title=\"Baha\u2019i land and building projects\">Baha\u2019i land and building projects<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Land_Acquisition_and_Development_in_Bahji\" title=\"Land Acquisition and Development in Bahji\">Land Acquisition and Development in Bahji<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Israeli_Governments_Support\" title=\"Israeli Government\u2019s Support\">Israeli Government\u2019s Support<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Restoration_and_Construction\" title=\"Restoration and Construction\">Restoration and Construction<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Bahai_Archives_and_Terraced_Gardens\" title=\"Baha\u2019i Archives and Terraced Gardens\">Baha\u2019i Archives and Terraced Gardens<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Bahai_Community_Valued\" title=\"Baha\u2019i Community Valued\">Baha\u2019i Community Valued<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Government_Officials_Support\" title=\"Government \u00a0Officials\u2019 Support\">Government \u00a0Officials\u2019 Support<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Teddy_Kollek_a_prominent_figure_expressed_personal_support_for_Bahai_activities\" title=\"Teddy Kollek, a prominent figure, expressed personal support for Baha\u2019i activities\">Teddy Kollek, a prominent figure, expressed personal support for Baha\u2019i activities<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#_The_President_of_Israel_Reuven_Rivlin\" title=\"\u00a0The President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin\">\u00a0The President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Shoghi_Rabbanis_Privacy\" title=\"Shoghi Rabbani\u2019s Privacy\">Shoghi Rabbani\u2019s Privacy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#i-2\" title=\"\u00a0\">\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=15328&#038;lang=en\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Abstract\"><\/span><strong>\u00a0\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Abstract<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><strong>Due to the differences between <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.bahairesearch.org\/the-succession-challenges-after-babs-death-among-babis-and-his-followers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Bahaullah<\/span><\/strong><\/a> <strong>and his brother Sobh Azal, the Ottoman government exiled him to the port of Acre in the north of Palestine and he was buried there. At the same time, his family members and other few followers immigrated to Palestine and settled there, but in order not to face the opposition of the Palestinian Muslim people, he pretended to be a Muslim and even \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1 (Baha\u2019u\u2019llah\u2019s son and successor) sometimes became the Imam of the Muslim congregations. During the First World War, he helped British soldiers against the Ottoman Muslim government. He was accused of espionage for the benefit of England and was subject to the death penalty, but he was saved by the intervention of the British government. In addition, he gave a lot of help to the Jews to buy Palestinian lands. At that time, he did not oppose Lord Balford\u2019s declaration to form a Jewish state in Palestine. Later, Maxwell, Shoghi Effendi\u2019s wife, stated: \u201cThe fate of us Baha\u2019is and Israelis is linked like the links of a chain.\u201d In this article, we report this supports in detailed.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bahai_expressions_of_support_for_the_Jewish_state\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Baha\u2019i expressions of support for the Jewish state<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>After `Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1, a new aspect of the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed Faith was presented. In fact, the organizational structure of the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed Faith was established with the help of the associates of Shoghi Effendi, especially his aunt Bahiyyih Kh\u00e1num (daughter of Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h) and his wife R\u00fah\u00edyyih Maxwell, replacing the religious layer of the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed Faith. These supports and the relationships between the State of Israel and the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed leadership, and sometimes the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed community were in circulation to establish an administrative and organizational order named the \u2018Most Great Order\u2019 by<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600;\" href=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=12142&amp;lang=en\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> Shoghi Effendi<\/span><\/a><\/span>. The stages of this organizational process are as follows:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Please note that the term \u2018Most Great Order\u2019 is a translation of \u2018N\u00e1zm-i-Badi\u2019, which refers to the administrative order of the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed Faith. If you have any more texts to translate or any other questions, feel free to ask!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bahai_Support_for_Israel\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Baha\u2019i Support for Israel<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Shoghi Rabbani\u2019s Assertion<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>In December 1948,the third Baha\u2019i leader Shoghi Rabbani stated that Baha\u2019i scriptures had predicted the reestablishment of the Jewish state of Israel.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Public Support<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The Baha\u2019i community publicly supported the establishment and growth of Israel and promised to refraine from proselytizing within the country.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>International Proselytizing<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Despite their restraint in Israel, Baha\u2019is activity via their media have been developed and gained virtual followers. This multiplier made more easier than the Baha\u2019i propaganda.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pilgrimage_and_Settlement\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Pilgrimage and Settlement<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Pilgrimage Restrictions<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Shoghi Rabbani limited Baha\u2019i pilgrimages to settle in Israel to only nine days, which was seen as insufficient by some Israeli officials who wanted to showcase the country\u2019s progress.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>For example, one government official wrote in May 1952:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>\u201c<\/strong><strong><em>Nine days are sufficient\u2026 to visit the Baha\u2019i shrines in Haifa and Acre and it is probably also too expensive for the Guardian to<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>extend hospitality to Baha\u2019i pilgrims for more than 9 days\u2026We, on the other hand, are interested that Baha\u2019i pilgrims should not only see the Baha\u2019i shrines but the whole country and it might be worthwhile to discuss matters with the Guardian.<\/em><\/strong><strong>\u201d [\u06f1]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>But the Baha\u2019i leader not only rejected the request but also insisted on this short period for pilgrimage and this law continues untill now.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Settlement Discouragement<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The Baha\u2019i leadership discouraged followers, particularly American Baha\u2019is, from moving to Israel.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bahai_and_Israeli_Relations\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Baha\u2019i and Israeli Relations<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Cautious Approach<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Shoghi Rabbani was careful not to upset the Israeli government or the Jewish public, especially during the sensitive period after the 1948 War.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Official Correspondence<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>High-ranking Baha\u2019i officials communicated their support for Israel to the state authorities, emphasizing the religious significance of Israel to the Baha\u2019i Faith.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>for example, Baha\u2019i International Council member Lawrence Hautz wrote to state officials:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong><em>\u201c\u2026<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>the Baha\u2019is have a peculiar interest in the establishment of the Jewish state and the welfare of the Jewish people, due to prophecies and promises in their Scriptures. As his Eminence Shoghi Effendi wrote to President Weismann [Chaim Weizmann]: Our good will to the people of Israel is very deep-seated, and our Scriptures state \u201cthe Jews will become the envy and admiration of both their friends and their enemies;\u201d \u201coutwardly and spiritually they will attain to such a glory that their 2000 years abasement will be forgotten.\u201d As<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>\u00a0\u2018<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1<\/em><\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong><em>wrote, 50 years ago: \u201call Palestine will become their home<\/em><\/strong><strong>.\u201d [\u06f2]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>How does a person who considers himself the second leader of a religion that claims to fight oppression and promote the unity of the human world allow himself to predict and issue the path of deportation of the Palestinian people and throw the red carpet under the feet of the occupying Jews?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>This immense support of<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.bahairesearch.org\/why-did-abdul-baha-have-such-a-low-opinion-of-africa-and-africans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><strong>for the non-Palestinian Jews and preparing the ground for their occupation is quite clear for the intellectuals and speaks of his hidden connection with the Zionist movements before the establishment of the state of Israel.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Promotion_of_Israels_Image\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Promotion of Israel\u2019s Image<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Strategic Pilgrimage<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Israel viewed Baha\u2019i pilgrimages as a means to promote its image of tolerance, democracy, and modernization.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Contributions to Israel\u2019s Prestige<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Baha\u2019i leaders expressed pride in contributing to Israel\u2019s rising prestige and influence worldwide.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>In fact, the relationship between the Baha\u2019i community and the state of Israel during the post-independence period, highlighting the Baha\u2019i Faith\u2019s support for Israel and the strategic considerations involved in their interactions.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"i\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Israeli_officials_express_support_for_the_Bahais\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Israeli officials express support for the Baha\u2019is<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The Israeli government\u2019s response to the Baha\u2019i support has been complex. While there isn\u2019t a direct statement from the government regarding the Baha\u2019i support mentioned in the historical context you provided, recent developments suggest a legal battle over the classification of<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.bahairesearch.org\/acre-bahai-community\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Baha\u2019i gardens in Acre<\/span><\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tax_Exemption_Case\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Tax Exemption Case<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The Baha\u2019i World Center is involved in a legal dispute with the city of Acre over the classification of the Bahji Gardens as a holy site.\u00a0The local authorities had formerly granted the gardens a waiver from property taxation, acknowledging their spiritual significance, but subsequently rescinded this waiver, resulting in a substantial yearly tax obligation for the Baha\u2019i fellowship.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Public_Access_to_Gardens\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Public Access to Gardens<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Following the tax dispute, the Baha\u2019i World Center has opted to restrict the gardens\u2019 entry, confining admittance exclusively to pilgrims.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Definition_of_Worship_Space\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Definition of Worship Space<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The municipality\u2019s stance is that full tax exemption can only be given to a \u201chouse of worship,\u201d which traditionally requires a building.\u00a0Given that the Baha\u2019i belief system does not utilize edifices for worship, the local government contends that the privilege of tax immunity ought to be rescinded.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>This situation indicates that while the Baha\u2019i community has historically supported the state of Israel, there are contemporary challenges related to the recognition and treatment of Baha\u2019i holy sites within the country.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bahai_land_and_building_projects\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Baha\u2019i land and building projects<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Land_Acquisition_and_Development_in_Bahji\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Land Acquisition and Development in Bahji<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Baha\u2019i leadership took advantage of Arab flight during the 1948 War to purchase land around the shrine and mansion of Baha\u2019u\u2019llah in Bahji. The Baha\u2019is owned very little land in that location, hindering development. In 1950, Shoghi Rabbani expressed interest in purchasing absentee-owned property in Bahji for beautification efforts.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Israeli_Governments_Support\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Israeli Government\u2019s Support<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>After negotiations, Israel transferred about 40 acres of Arab absentee-owned land around Baha\u2019u\u2019llah\u2019s tomb and shrine to the Baha\u2019is.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The transaction justified by considering the acquired lands as belonging to Arab supporters of excommunicated Baha\u2019is.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>This acquisition nearly equaled the total land acquired by the Baha\u2019is in Haifa over the previous 60 years.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Restoration_and_Construction\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Restoration and Construction<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The Baha\u2019is restored Baha\u2019u\u2019llah\u2019s home in Acre and planned to build a religious hospice.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The iconic Shrine of the Bab on Mount Carmel, with stained-glass windows and a golden-domed superstructure, was completed in 1953.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Israeli officials supported the project, providing tax-free building materials and even donating cement.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bahai_Archives_and_Terraced_Gardens\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Baha\u2019i Archives and Terraced Gardens<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The Baha\u2019i Archives, modeled after the Parthenon, was completed between 1955 and 1957. The designer of the grand edifice, the Canadian Baha\u2019i, William Sutherland Maxwell, stood as Shoghi Rabbani\u2019s father-in-law.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The Baha\u2019is acquired new lands on Mount Carmel, allowing them to create gardened terraces leading down the slope.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Funding and Government Backing<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Most funding for local projects came from the United States.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The Baha\u2019is received support from the Israeli government in disputes over religious sites.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>\u06f4-<\/strong><strong>Expressions of support from high-ranking state leaders<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The Baha\u2019i community in Israel held a unique position, receiving favorable treatment from state leaders. Here\u2019s why:<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bahai_Community_Valued\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Baha\u2019i Community Valued<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>State leaders recognized the Baha\u2019i presence and appreciated their support.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>the Baha\u2019is feinted that according their teaching they had no political or religious ambitions to control the state, so with this trick, they were able to instill the public perception that their presence in this land is non-threatening.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The Baha\u2019i movement has been shown as a soothing influence the regional tensions prevalent in the 1950s.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The Baha\u2019i holy places in Haifa were built in such a way that attracted pilgrims from around the world, contributing to tourism and the country\u2019s image.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Government_Officials_Support\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Government \u00a0Officials\u2019 Support<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Minister Tzvi Warhaftig explicitly acknowledged the Baha\u2019i community\u2019s influence<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>\u201c<\/strong><strong><em>In a declaration to the Knesset in March 1954, Minister of Religions Tzvi Warhaftig highlighted that although the Baha\u2019i population in Israel was limited to roughly 200 individuals at the time, he underscored the fact that the Baha\u2019i Faith boasts a considerable following and numerous advocates in the United States, estimated at around two million, as well as significant numbers in Canada, Australia, and Persia. The spiritual epicenter of this community is located in Israel, drawing pilgrims from across the globe. This global connection is one of the primary reasons for the heightened attention given to this group. Furthermore, they have contributed substantial financial resources to enhance the aesthetic appeal of their sacred sites and monuments in and around Haifa.<\/em><\/strong><strong>\u201d [\u06f3]<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Teddy_Kollek_a_prominent_figure_expressed_personal_support_for_Bahai_activities\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Teddy Kollek, a prominent figure, expressed personal support for Baha\u2019i activities<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>In a correspondence dated 1954 to the International Baha\u2019i Council in Haifa, Teddy Kollek, who would later become Jerusalem\u2019s mayor and served as the Director-General of the Prime Minister\u2019s Office during the 1950s, personally conveyed his endorsement and commendation for the Baha\u2019i community\u2019s endeavors in Israel. In confidential state discussions, Kollek declared that Prime Minister Ben-Gurion consistently backed the Baha\u2019i Council\u2019s initiatives to enhance their sacred sites and provided aid to this devoted group whose efforts adorned the nation. [4]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi facilitated visits for Baha\u2019i relatives from enemy countries, emphasizing their loyalty and humanist principles<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, serving as Israel\u2019s President from 1952 to 1963 and a scholar with a keen interest in, and a notable advocate for, non-Muslim minorities in Israel and adjacent countries, facilitated family visits for Baha\u2019is from adversarial nations to their senior kin in Israel. He posited that their faith was rooted in humanistic ideals and that they had consistently expressed positive regard for the Jewish people and demonstrated unwavering fidelity to the State of Israel.[5]<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_The_President_of_Israel_Reuven_Rivlin\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>The President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>During his visit to the Baha\u2019i Gardens on the slopes of Mount Carmel in October 2019, and participation in the bicentennial celebration of the birth of the Bab, the President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, explicitly stated:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: center;\"><strong>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15330\" src=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Israel-Support-of-Shoghi-Effendi-and-the-Bahai-Community.jpg\" alt=\"Israel Support of Shoghi Effendi and the Baha\u2019i Community\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin visited the Baha\u2019i Gardens in October 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>\u00a0\u201c<\/strong><strong><em>The State of Israel is honored and pleased to host the followers of the Baha\u2019i Faith and the Baha\u2019i World Centre, which promotes the values of peace and unity among different religions.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>In this visit, David Ratstein, Ms. Einat Kalisch-Rotem, the Mayor of Haifa, and Ms. Carmel Irandoust, the Secretary-General of the Baha\u2019i International Community, were also present. [6]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Therefore, this mutual bond and connection continue to resonate among Israel state and Baha\u2019i organization today.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The Baha\u2019is\u2019 significant support base in the United States and other countries further influenced the government\u2019s positive stance.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Moreover, like other Israeli political figures, he maintained that the Baha\u2019is garnered considerable backing and wielded substantial influence in the United States, notably with a significant Baha\u2019i hub in the prominent city of Chicago.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Therefore, the aggregate of these supports from the superpowers and governments led to the consolidation of the Baha\u2019i presence in this land and the establishment of Baha\u2019i organization in Haifa.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Shoghi_Rabbanis_Privacy\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Shoghi Rabbani\u2019s Privacy<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Shoghi Rabbani, the Baha\u2019i leader, maintained a private profile. He rarely engaged with Israeli officials, preferring to delegate interactions to his American and Canadian assistants.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Despite this, the Baha\u2019i community\u2019s impact on Israel\u2019s development remained substantial.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>In spite of receiving official recognition, the notably reclusive Baha\u2019i figurehead, Shoghi Rabbani, made minimal efforts to broadcast his endeavors both within and beyond Israel\u2019s borders. He refrained from traveling to engage with Baha\u2019i assemblies, seldom consented to media interviews, and was infrequently captured in photographs. It seems he scarcely, if ever, conducted classes or delivered lectures on the Baha\u2019i teachings, neither in Israel nor abroad, and abstained from public appearances. His interactions with Israeli officials were infrequent; he even declined formal invitations to convene with Prime Minister and Defense Minister David Ben-Gurion following the state\u2019s establishment, delegating his father-in-law William Sutherland Maxwell and an American aide, Ben Weeden, in his stead. His rationale was a concern for becoming \u2018lost in a crowd\u2019.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Rabbani did have a brief encounter with Ben-Gurion in Haifa in January 1949, yet the brief 15-minute meeting left little impact on either party. Rabbani typically assigned such social obligations in Israel to his North American aides, especially Leroy Ioas, Lawrence Hautz, and Benjamin and Gladys Weeden. Alongside his spouse Mary Maxwell, these individuals became Rabbani\u2019s trusted confidants and prominent Baha\u2019i leaders.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The consistent rapport between government figures and the American and Canadian Baha\u2019is, hailing from western nations amicable towards the state\u2019s inception and progress, and symbolizing a potential wellspring of support from their native communities, influenced the government\u2019s favorable perception of the Baha\u2019is and significantly contributed to the government\u2019s congenial and supportive stance on most Baha\u2019i petitions.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Therefor, the Baha\u2019i community\u2019s unique characteristics, government support, and Shoghi Rabbani\u2019s discreet leadership contributed to their positive standing in Israel during its early years.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"i-2\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>In the early of Israel\u2019s statehood, both the Jewish people and the Baha\u2019i community experienced significant transitions. For Jews, it was a historic opportunity toward autonomy.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Meanwhile, the Baha\u2019is adapted to new leadership under Shoghi Effendi, who broke with tradition by not designating a successor. His passing marked a pivotal moment, and the Baha\u2019i leadership (UHJ) increasingly included Westerners, particularly Americans.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>This systematic and organized leadership of the Baha\u2019is proved two points to the world:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>\u06f1-<\/strong><strong>the Baha\u2019is join an organization not a faith<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>\u06f2-<\/strong><strong>the Baha\u2019i leadership links closely with the gain of Israel and Jew<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>So, Baha\u2019ism, centered in Israel, maintained a cooperative relationship with state. While the Arab world boycotted Israel, the Baha\u2019is attracted significant capital from the government under the guise of beautifying Holy places and displayed it as an artificial showcase of religious diversity. They also gained legitimacy for their presence in Haifa by promoting the so-called non-interference in politics as part of Baha\u2019i teachings, so they could advertise themselves in the media as a symbol of a humanitarian minority. In this<\/strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.bahairesearch.org\/media-frenzy-a-border-on-the-demolition-of-several-semi-finished-buildings-in-roshankoh-mazandaran\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>propaganda of feigned victimhood of Baha\u2019is<\/strong><\/a><\/span><strong>, <\/strong><strong>by showing Israel as a safe haven for all Baha\u2019is, they emphasize their support for the current government and their shared destiny.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The thoughts of the Baha\u2019i religion as a way of opposing the revolutionary Islam against the illegal occupation of the Palestinian land, to create division in the Arab Muslim communities of the region, are the satisfaction and desire of Israel.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Pollack, to Asian Division, \u2018Baha\u2019is\u2019, \u06f6 May 1952? (page covered), ISA 5808\/16\/G.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Lawrence A. Hautz, International Baha\u2019i Council, Haifa, Israel, addressee not defined but almost certainly the Ministry of Religions, undated but certainly early 1950s, ISA 5808\/G.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Tzvi Warhaftig statement in the Knesset, March 1954, quoted by P. Colbi, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Jerusalem, to Mr Leroy Ioas, Secretary General, International Baha\u2019i Council, 29 March 1954, ISA 5808\/G.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Theodore Kollek, to Leroy Ioas, Secretary General, International Baha\u2019i Council, Haifa, 3 December 1954 ISA 5593\/12\/G.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Yitzhak Ben-Zvi to the Minister of Interior, 19 June 1953, ISA 5808\/16\/G<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.bahairesearch.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/en.bahairesearch.org\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Keep in touch with us: \u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"mailto:bahaismiran85@gmail.com\"><strong>bahaismiran85@gmail.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Abstract \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Due to the differences between Bahaullah and his brother Sobh Azal, the Ottoman government exiled him to the port of Acre in the north of Palestine and he was buried there. At the same time, his family members and other few followers immigrated to Palestine and settled there, but in order not [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":15329,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[823,985],"tags":[861,4475,917,13434,7733,913,1534,13436,2346,13440,7669,5005,13432,2388,13438,13428,3002,13430],"class_list":["post-15328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english-articles","category-slidshow","tag-abdul-baha","tag-acre","tag-bahaullah","tag-buried","tag-difference","tag-exile","tag-followers","tag-immigrate","tag-members","tag-muslim-people","tag-opposition","tag-palestine","tag-port","tag-pretend","tag-settle","tag-sobh-azal","tag-successor","tag-the-ottoman-government"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15328","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15328"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15328\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15331,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15328\/revisions\/15331"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15329"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15328"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15328"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15328"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}