June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Israeli Society Today Raphael Cohen-Almagor First Annual Tel Aviv University Workshop on the Arab-Israeli Conflict 25 June 2006

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Preliminaries Israel was established as a Jewish democracy Based on Liberal-Democratic values AND Jewish values

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Preliminaries Israel is a young democracy. It is still in process of development and undoubtedly it will face further tests. Israel is a young democracy. It is still in process of development and undoubtedly it will face further tests.

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Preliminaries The key factor for its success is its relationships with our neighbours. The key factor for its success is its relationships with our neighbours. 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.

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Preliminaries 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. Unemployment continues to be significant. Unemployment continues to be significant. Salaries going down in real terms. Salaries going down in real terms. Welfare benefits are cut. Welfare benefits are cut.

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Preliminaries 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. High-tech industries, one of the country's strengths, experience what the rest of the world is experiencing. High-tech industries, one of the country's strengths, experience what the rest of the world is experiencing. The only business that is flourishing is security. Stroll the streets and see soldiers, policemen, and personnel of many security operations. The only business that is flourishing is security. Stroll the streets and see soldiers, policemen, and personnel of many security operations.

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Preliminaries

8 Preliminaries 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 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Preliminaries 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 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Preliminaries 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

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Preliminaries Almost no new hiring Almost no new hiring Israelis study in the finest universities in the world, including yours, and then cannot find a job in their home country Israelis study in the finest universities in the world, including yours, and then cannot find a job in their home country

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Preliminaries What is the good state? What is the good state? In a nutshell: A place where you wish your children grow up In a nutshell: A place where you wish your children grow up Israel is in problem in this regard: more than 900,000 Israelis left the country and live abroad Israel is in problem in this regard: more than 900,000 Israelis left the country and live abroad

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Preliminaries Many because of the hardship of life Many because of the hardship of life Others because they cannot find a job Others because they cannot find a job Our best of people: engineers, physicians, high-tech, academic emigrated from Israel Our best of people: engineers, physicians, high-tech, academic emigrated from Israel

14 June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, 2015 Arguments I argue for seperation between state and religion I argue for seperation between state and religion

15 June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, 2015 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 fulfil. 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 fulfil.

16 June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, 2015 Arguments I argue for ending the occupation I argue for ending the occupation I argue for strengthening democratic values I argue for strengthening democratic values

17 June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, 2015 Arguments The most basic norms democracy has to secure are respecting others as human beings, and not to inflicting harm upon others. The most basic norms democracy has to secure are respecting others as human beings, and not to inflicting harm upon others.

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, 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 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Main Schisms Between Jews and Arabs Between Jews and Arabs Between secular and religious people Between secular and religious people Between Israel and the Occupied Territories Between Israel and the Occupied Territories

20 June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, 2015 Questions Can a liberal democracy allow minority groups to restrict the individual rights of society at large?

21 June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, 2015 Questions Can a liberal democracy allow minority groups to restrict the individual rights of their members, or should it insist that all groups uphold liberal principles?

22 June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, 2015 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. 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 24, 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 24, 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 24, 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 24, 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 24, 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 24, 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 24, 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 24,

June 24, Religion and State Kosher shops and restaurants should be available and with them non- Kosher shops and restaurants for the secular, agnostic population.

June 24,

June 24, 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 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24,

June 24, 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 24, Religion and State Along Hevra Kadisha secular burial services should be offered. 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.

37 June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, 2015 inter-group relationships v. intra- group relationships One group has no right to coerce the entire society into following its conception of the good and abiding by its cultural norms. One group has no right to coerce the entire society into following its conception of the good and abiding by its cultural norms.

38 June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, 2015 Internalized Coercion Vs. Designated Coercion Unlike the internalized coercion, designated coercion is not concerned with a machinery aiming to convince the entire cultural group of an irrefutable truth

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Exit right The power of religious communities over their own members must be restricted so that individuals could freely and effectively exercise exit capacity

June 24, Ufff …

June 24, Stretching

June 24, 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 24, 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 24, Israeli-Palestinians Formal v. Full Citizenship Discrimination Racism

June 24, 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 24, Israeli-Palestinians Studies of all religions that exist in Israel should be made available.

June 24, 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 24, Israeli-Palestinians To date, there has never been an Arab minister. This should be corrected. 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 24, Israeli-Palestinians Guaranteeing representation for a minority Devolving power to local levels in just ways by just means

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, 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 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, 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 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Army/National Duty Citizens who have a problem in serving 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 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24,

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Occupied Territories Ending the occuption Ending the occuption Withdrawing settlements and the IDF Withdrawing settlements and the IDF Two state solution Two state solution 1967 Borders 1967 Borders The Fence The Fence

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Occupied Territories Ending terrorism and Qassam missiles Ending terrorism and Qassam missiles The Right of Return The Right of Return The refugee problem The refugee problem Jerusalem Jerusalem

56 June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, 2015 Conclusions Relevant factors: Relevant factors: The severity of rights violations within the communities; The severity of rights violations within the communities; The extent to which formalized dispute resolution mechanisms exist within the community; The extent to which formalized dispute resolution mechanisms exist within the community;

57 June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, 2015 Conclusions The extent to which these mechanisms are seen as legitimate by group members; The extent to which these mechanisms are seen as legitimate by group members; The ability of dissenting group members to leave the community if they so desire; The ability of dissenting group members to leave the community if they so desire;

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Conclusions The existence of historical agreements which base the national minority’s claim for some sort of autonomy The existence of historical agreements which base the national minority’s claim for some sort of autonomy

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Problems No shared raison d'être No shared raison d'être Many schisms Many schisms Not-so-friendly neighbours Not-so-friendly neighbours Terror Terror

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Problems Shaky economy Shaky economy Problematic election system that bring about unstable Knesset and corruption Problematic election system that bring about unstable Knesset and corruption Culture in which generals are heavily involved in politics during and after service Culture in which generals are heavily involved in politics during and after service

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Problems Racism Racism Some thirty percent of Israeli citizenry wish to transform democracy into "a government based on strong hand", limit free expression and freedom of the press so as to have "better control". Some thirty percent of Israeli citizenry wish to transform democracy into "a government based on strong hand", limit free expression and freedom of the press so as to have "better control".

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Remedies Every student of history needs to worry Every student of history needs to worry Strive for peace with Syria and Lebanon Strive for peace with Syria and Lebanon Modify election system – Germany Modify election system – Germany

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Remedies Need to strengthen the democratic foundations Need to strengthen the democratic foundations Promote Civic Culture Promote Civic Culture Education: There is no democratic education in Israel Education: There is no democratic education in Israel

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Center for Democratic Studies

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Center for Democratic Studies The aim of The Haifa Center for Democratic Studies is to promote awareness and understanding of civic culture in democracy. Recognizing the growing need to secure the foundations of democracy and to facilitate conditions for pluralism, the Center establishes a national and international forum for deliberation and discussion.

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Center for Democratic Studies The Center aims to increase public awareness of liberal democratic values: liberty, tolerance, justice, equality and peace Focus is on the role of ethics and justice in all spheres of public life: politics; economy; culture; academy; business; law; media and medicine.

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Center for Democratic Studies Strengthening of active participation in public life, professional ethics, accountability for one’s actions, multiculturalism, diversity, and civic equality The Center also focuses attention upon abuse of power and violation of basic human rights. It will encourage open debate on the vital importance of freedom of expression, in its broad sense, in democratic life. The Center also focuses attention upon abuse of power and violation of basic human rights. It will encourage open debate on the vital importance of freedom of expression, in its broad sense, in democratic life.

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015June 24, Center for Democratic Studies On this front the Center sees an urgent need for education on all levels: primary schools, high schools and universities. Develop a broad curriculum of recent history and civics, empowering civic education.

June 24, Thank you