June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, Israel at 60 – Challenges on the Road to Tranquility Raphael Cohen-Almagor

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, Preliminaries Israel is still in process of development and undoubtedly it will face further tests. Israel is still in process of development and undoubtedly it will face further tests. Never a dull moment. Never a dull moment. Missing component: Tranquility. Missing component: Tranquility.

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, The main challenges Relations with Neighbours Relations with Neighbours Integration of the Israeli-Palestinians Integration of the Israeli-Palestinians State and Religion State and Religion Economy under Stress. Economy under Stress.

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, Neighbours Authoritarian regimes surround it. Authoritarian regimes surround it. The key factor for success is its relationships with our neighbours. The key factor for success is its relationships with our neighbours.

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, Preliminaries Israel survived seven wars, Iraqi Scud attack, and two Palestinian uprisings in 60 years of independence. Israel survived seven wars, Iraqi Scud attack, and two Palestinian uprisings in 60 years of independence. It is hard to maintain normality under such a hostile environment. It is hard to maintain normality under such a hostile environment.

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, Preliminaries Security expenses exhausts a third of our budget, leaving insufficient resources for the development of other spheres. Security expenses exhausts a third of our budget, leaving insufficient resources for the development of other spheres. The constant security threat destroys the tourism industry and preempts external investments essential for economic growth. The constant security threat destroys the tourism industry and preempts external investments essential for economic growth.

June 11, Arguments I argue for ending the occupation I argue for strengthening democratic values

June 11, Arguments I argue for accommodating the interests of the Israeli-Palestinians, striving to safeguard equal rights and liberties for all citizens notwithstanding nationality, religion, race or colour, and insisting that citizens have also duties to fulfill.

June 11, Arguments I argue for separation between state and religion

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Between the Jordan River and the sea there are now about 7 million Israelis (among them 1.3 million Arabs/Palestinians) and 4 million Palestinians. Between the Jordan River and the sea there are now about 7 million Israelis (among them 1.3 million Arabs/Palestinians) and 4 million Palestinians. The annual growth rate of the Palestinians is among the highest in the world. There is a need for separation in order not to reach the point of an apartheid state. The annual growth rate of the Palestinians is among the highest in the world. There is a need for separation in order not to reach the point of an apartheid state.

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, Occupied Territories Ending the occupation Ending the occupation Historian Lord Acton ( ) said: "Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end... liberty is the only object which benefits all alike, and provokes no sincere opposition." Historian Lord Acton ( ) said: "Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end... liberty is the only object which benefits all alike, and provokes no sincere opposition." In 2000 I started my international campaign for “Gaza first”. In 2000 I started my international campaign for “Gaza first”. This idea was largely adopted by Prime Minister Sharon. This idea was largely adopted by Prime Minister Sharon. Sharon did not think we will get in return the Hamas and Qassams. Sharon did not think we will get in return the Hamas and Qassams. Still, we should have tried it. Still, we should have tried it. Now we will be much more careful in carrying out unilateral steps. Now we will be much more careful in carrying out unilateral steps.

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, Occupied Territories Securing our borders Securing our borders Building trust and good-faith Building trust and good-faith Upon having a partner and reaching agreement, withdrawing settlements and the IDF Upon having a partner and reaching agreement, withdrawing settlements and the IDF Hopefully two (not three) state solution Hopefully two (not three) state solution 1967 Borders 1967 Borders The Fence The Fence

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, The Fence For bridges, not fences For bridges, not fences Turning point – Passover, March 2002, Netanya Hotel Park Turning point – Passover, March 2002, Netanya Hotel Park Divorce Divorce death toll has dropped by over 70 percent, and number of injured has dropped by more than 80 percent death toll has dropped by over 70 percent, and number of injured has dropped by more than 80 percent The route should be fair The route should be fair

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, The Fence The Fence should have been built along the 1967 Green Line, with some accommodations necessary to include large cluster settlements in the Jerusalem area and Ariel, and compensating the Palestinians in other areas. The Fence should have been built along the 1967 Green Line, with some accommodations necessary to include large cluster settlements in the Jerusalem area and Ariel, and compensating the Palestinians in other areas. The idea of using the Fence to create geographic- political facts that in effect make greater Israel and smaller Palestine is unfair, discriminatory, unwise and unjust. The idea of using the Fence to create geographic- political facts that in effect make greater Israel and smaller Palestine is unfair, discriminatory, unwise and unjust. The Fence should be moved, and it will. The questions revolve only about time, money and blood involved. The Fence should be moved, and it will. The questions revolve only about time, money and blood involved. In the Bible, there is one word for both money and blood: "Damim". Israeli politics eloquently and forcefully explains why. In the Bible, there is one word for both money and blood: "Damim". Israeli politics eloquently and forcefully explains why.

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, Occupied Territories Evacuate isolated settlements Evacuate isolated settlements Consolidate economic conditions for Palestinians Consolidate economic conditions for Palestinians Bolster security on both sides Bolster security on both sides Stop enlarging existing settlements Stop enlarging existing settlements Dismantle checkpoints to make the lives of Palestinian civilians easier. Dismantle checkpoints to make the lives of Palestinian civilians easier. Develop the nautilus against rockets and other anti-rocket mechanisms Develop the nautilus against rockets and other anti-rocket mechanisms

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, Occupied Territories Clean the atmosphere: fight bigotry, racism, incitement and hate on both sides of the fence. Clean the atmosphere: fight bigotry, racism, incitement and hate on both sides of the fence. This includes a close study of the Palestinian and Israeli education curricula This includes a close study of the Palestinian and Israeli education curricula Utilize the media to promote peaceful messages of reconciliation and mutual recognition. Utilize the media to promote peaceful messages of reconciliation and mutual recognition. Demand the Palestinians to fight down terrorism. Zero tolerance in this sphere. Demand the Palestinians to fight down terrorism. Zero tolerance in this sphere. The Right of Return The Right of Return The refugee problem – international economic effort The refugee problem – international economic effort Jerusalem Jerusalem Mount Temple – International Zone Mount Temple – International Zone

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, Society’s Profile No shared raison d'être 20% wish to transform democracy into theocracy 20% wish to transform democracy into theocracy 20% do not endorse the Zionist ethos 20% do not endorse the Zionist ethos 20% of the population are immigrants from the former Soviet Union where no democracy existed 20% of the population are immigrants from the former Soviet Union where no democracy existed

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, Schisms In addition, Israel suffers from internal schisms: In addition, Israel suffers from internal schisms: between Israeli-Palestinians and Israeli- Jews inside the Green (1967) Line; between Israeli-Palestinians and Israeli- Jews inside the Green (1967) Line;

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, Schisms between orthodox Jews and secular Jews; between orthodox Jews and secular Jews; between the ideological right and the ideological left – Peace v. Land, now transformed to Security and Demography v. Land between the ideological right and the ideological left – Peace v. Land, now transformed to Security and Demography v. Land

June 11, The Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence holds that Israel will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; that it will be based on the foundations of liberty, justice and peace;

June 11, The Declaration of Independence that it will uphold complete equality of social and political rights to all of its citizens irrespective of religion, race or sex, and that it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture.

June 11, Israeli-Palestinians Formal v. Full Citizenship Discrimination Racism

June 11, Israeli-Palestinians Arabic is one of the two official languages of the State of Israel. Therefore it should enjoy a dominant status and have the importance it deserves. Arabic should be taught at every primary and high school together with English.

June 11, Israeli-Palestinians Studies of all cultures and religions that exist in Israel should be made available.

June 11, Israeli-Palestinians Delegates of the Arab minority should be represented, in accordance with their size in society, in the Knesset and in the government.

June 11, Israeli-Palestinians Guaranteeing representation for a minority Devolving power to local levels in just ways by just means

June 11, Israeli-Palestinians At the same time, Israel would like to see from all its citizens, without exception, a real and strong commitment to the state, to peace, and to the struggle against terror.

June 11, Army/National Duty Citizens who have a problem in serving in the army for religious, moral or national reasons should commit themselves to do national service for the required period of time (presently three years for men; two years for women) in their own communities, working to better the conditions of their own group. Army service – pretext for discrimination

June 11, Questions ► Can a liberal democracy allow minority groups to restrict the individual rights of society at large?

June 11, Live and Let Live ► We need to differentiate between the symbolic aspects and the modus operandi aspects. As far as the latter are concerned, separation between state and religion should be achieved.

June 11, Religion and State If an illiberal minority is seeking to oppress other groups, then most liberals would agree that intervention is justified in the name of self-defence and liberty

June 11, Religion and State The secular majority in Israel has every right to object to attempts which aim at narrowing its freedom of conscience and to broaden the authority of religious orthodoxy.

June 11, Religion and State Democracy is supposed to allow each and every individual the opportunity to follow her or his conception of the good without coercion. Israel today gives precedence to Judaism over liberalism. I submit that on issues such as this one, the reverse should be the case.

June 11, Religion and State Israel, being the only Jewish state in the world, should strive to retain its Jewish character. The symbols should remain Jewish with some accommodations in order to make the state a home for its Palestinian citizens as well. Shabbat should remain the official day of rest.

June 11, Religion and State Palestinian villages and towns may make Friday their day of rest. Hopefully, one day, when security considerations would become less dominant and pressing, and the Israeli economy could afford two days of rest, as is the case in many parts of the world, then Friday and Shabbat will become the two official days of rest.

June 11, Religion and State while Shabbat should be observed, malls and shopping places outside the cities should be available for the many people who work during the week and do their shopping during weekends.

June 11, Religion and State Public transportation should be made available for all people who cannot afford having a car and for those who do not drive. The state should cater for the needs of as many citizens as possible.

June 11, Religion and State

June 11, Religion and State Kosher shops and restaurants should be available and with them non- Kosher shops and restaurants for the secular, agnostic population.

June 11, Religion and State

June 11, Religion and State Most importantly, the significant events in one's life: birth, wedding, divorce and death should be handled in accordance of the people's own choices.

June 11, Religion and State

June 11, Religion and State If they so desire, people may involve rabbinate and other religious institutions in their private lives. But this option should be left to them. If people wish to have secular ceremonies then they should have the ability to conduct them and not to be forced to undergo practices which mean very little to them, if anything. The state should have as little as possible say in family, intimate affairs.

June 11, Religion and State Along Hevra Kadisha secular burial services should be offered. Today people need not travel outside the country to marry in civil marriage. 10% of the population are gay/lesbian. The liberal state should address their needs as well and allow them to marry as they see fit.

June 11, Duties Large sectors, mainly the ultra- orthodox, do not pay taxes, do not serve in the army, do not work; yet, they receive state support allowing them to study torah. Resources should be distributed equally to all sectors.

June 11, Duties Every citizen is expected to pay in accordance with his/her abilities. Israel should sponsor religious studies to the same extent that it supports university and other forms of high education.

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, Economy Unemployment continues to be significant Unemployment continues to be significant Salaries going down in real terms (35% of lecturers salaries from 1997 till now). Salaries going down in real terms (35% of lecturers salaries from 1997 till now). Welfare benefits are cut. Welfare benefits are cut. Taxes are high and continue to rise. Taxes are high and continue to rise. Israel has the highest tax rate in the world, outside Scandinavia. Israel has the highest tax rate in the world, outside Scandinavia.

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, Economy People are worried about their physical security as well as about their economic security. People are worried about their physical security as well as about their economic security. About 70% of the population claims their expenses outweigh their earnings. About 70% of the population claims their expenses outweigh their earnings. About 25% of the population are below the poverty line. About 25% of the population are below the poverty line.

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, Economy No natural resources: no gold, no silver, no diamonds, no oil No natural resources: no gold, no silver, no diamonds, no oil Lecture in South Africa Lecture in South Africa “ All this mess for face cream? ” “ All this mess for face cream? ”

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, Education Our greatest asset is education Our greatest asset is education But it is not in the government ’ s priorities But it is not in the government ’ s priorities 20% cut in universities ’ budget since % cut in universities ’ budget since 2001 In 2007, a 90-day universities strike, longest in our history In 2007, a 90-day universities strike, longest in our history

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, Economy Israel ’ s economy is still dependent at large on the USA. Israel ’ s economy is still dependent at large on the USA. We should strive to gain independence and autonomy. We should strive to gain independence and autonomy. Stop the brain drain. Stop the brain drain. Decrease the increasing gap between the small rich cream and the large poor sector. Decrease the increasing gap between the small rich cream and the large poor sector.

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015June 11, In Conclusion Security remains the main preoccupation Security remains the main preoccupation Strive for co-existence with neighbours Strive for co-existence with neighbours Mitigate schisms Mitigate schisms Narrowing the gap between rich and poor Narrowing the gap between rich and poor

June 11, Thank you