Secular liberals are hated as the ruling elite, even though the right has been in power for the latter half of Israel’s history. Meanwhile, as opposed to religious-nationalists and the ultra-orthodox, we do not have any minority rights.

By Carlo Strenger

Haaretz:

The Israel Democracy Institute has just published a major survey that gives an insight into Israeli society. Its major findings are that an average of 90 percent see Jewish lifecycle rituals as important or very important. Some 87 percent believe food served in public institutions should be kosher, 80 percent believe in God and that good deeds are rewarded, and 67 percent believe that Jews are the chosen people. Some 65 percent believe that the Torah is God Given. Even though only 24% of Israeli Jews are orthodox or ultra-orthodox, Israeli society tends towards religious traditionalism.

Israeli society is less religious than the U.S. Some 85 percent of Americans say that religion is important or very important in their lives. But the U.S. has a constitution that makes sure that religion and the state are strictly separated. Also, the U.S. religious landscape is incredibly varied: even the majority religion, Protestant Christianity, is composed of many different churches. As opposed to Israel, where the orthodox establishment has a monopoly on religious affairs, and is powerfully involved in the lives of citizens from cradle to grave. Read more