Pluralism, Peoplehood, Politics and More
In October the Israeli government hopes to pass in the Knesset its first budget, 3 years since the last state budget was approved. This is an important step. It will enable the government to address fundamental and pressing problems of Israeli society. It’s also important politically since absent approval of the budget, the government will... Continue Reading →
In the past month, the government passed a resolution containing the main articles of the State budget. The budget will now move for hearings in the Knesset and is expected to be voted on by November 2021. The budget is the opportunity of the government to address serious issues and it includes not only financial... Continue Reading →
Recently Israel’s pollical parties submitted their registration for the upcoming March 23rd elections. Now start the last stretch of the campaign, with lots of advertising on different media and social networks platforms. These elections feature parties that hold similar ideologies – from opposing sides of Israeli society. One represents Jewish extremism, and one represents Muslim... Continue Reading →
One of the questions I get asked most often in the context of Israeli religion and state is if there is a chance for a government without the ultra-Orthodox parties. In this election cycle, it’s actually a realistic option, and the key is Naftali Bennet. Here is why. Ultra-Orthodox parties safeguard the Religion and State... Continue Reading →
In the upcoming Israeli election, the 4th in the past 2 years, the main blocks forming are not the usual “left” and “right”. As in the past 3 recent elections, the main dividing issue is the support or opposition to PM Netanyahu, primarily on the basis of the legitimacy of his leadership since he was... Continue Reading →
Rise in COVID among ultra-Orthodox In recent days there is growing criticism by the public of the fact that the ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) population is defying the national lockdown orders and there is no real attempt by the Israeli police to enforce the rules that apply to the general population. Since the summer of 2020, there... Continue Reading →
Photo: Alpert Nathan 02/21/1990 This week Israel marked "Aliya Day" (Immigration Day), and many young people who immigrated from the Former Soviet Union as children wrote their Aliya stories in emotional and nostalgic social media posts. 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the “Russian Aliya.” The traditional media is not focused on this issue, but... Continue Reading →
Right-Wing Block Shrinks Following Israel's second 2019 elections on September 17, and while it is too early to know what the next government will look like, it is clear that the 'Religion and State' agenda was a significant contributor to the shift in the voting pattern that emerged in this election. This time around, about... Continue Reading →
When I was studying in the US as a graduate student I found out that in the States there is no such thing as a make-up test. That was surprising! In Israeli universities students automatically receive a chance to do over any exam in what is called “Mo`ed Beit” which literally means “second time”, otherwise... Continue Reading →
1. The Conversion Controversy Began in the 1980s The Law of Return, the primary legislative piece that governs Israel’s immigration policy, gives Jews the right to immigrate to Israel and automatically receive Israeli citizenship. Originally Section 1 of the Law of Return declared simply: "every Jew has the right to come to this country as... Continue Reading →
Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: Baskerville 2 by Anders Noren.