What is it about?
In Israel, the Orthodox minority enforces its conception of the good on Israeli-Jews, many of whom do not share their set of beliefs. This is the result of lack of separation between state and religion and the monopoly enjoyed by the Orthodoxy to decide personal matters. Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has been struggling to reconcile the tension between its being a democracy and retaining the Jewish character of the state. These values are not easily reconcilable. As a result of the inbuilt tensions, basic civic and human rights are undermined.
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Why is it important?
Religion should not enter politics. Mixing religion and politics is problematic. It becomes destructive when the religion is unyielding and coercive. Religious parties are heavily involved in politics, and the political system that is based on proportional representation ensures that those parties are of constant presence in parliament and, often are the decisive piece in the coalition puzzle.
Perspectives
Whenever religious forces resort to coercion, human rights are in decline. When religious powers are on the rise, when they feel comfortable encroaching on private matters, the foundations of democracy are shaken and its protective mechanisms are regressing. Orthodox Judaism and liberal democracy are conflicting. The rise of one comes at the expense of the other. Separating state and religion is essential.
Professor Raphael Cohen-Almagor
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Coercion by the Orthodox minority in Israel, October 2024, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.4324/9781003435853-5.
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