Live and let live?

R’ Dov Halbertal recently proposed that there should be an American-style separation of Religion and state in Israel. This would mean no more religious political parties, no more laws (about shabbos, marriages, gerius, etc) based on religion, and no more funding for any religious institution. He holds that this “live and let live” approach will end secular animosity towards the Chareidim, and open up the Chilonim to the beauty of Yiddishkeit.

UTJ MK R’ Yisrael Eichler, however, holds that such a move is not worth the price. Separating Religion and state would mean that any and all existing laws based upon the Torah would be void, ch”v causing untold aveiros. This proposal would also stop all funding for the Chareidi institutions, resulting in much bittul Torah. All this is not worth just a chance of the chilonim becoming more open to Yiddishkeit.

This is the debate in my own words, to read the actual debate between Halbertal and Eichler visit http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=106668 and to read Halbertal’s interview with Kikar Shabbat see http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/General+News/106823/Rav-Halbertal-Explains-His-Platform.html.

What do you think?