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Hiddush Against Religious Indoctrination in the IDF

Hiddush Against Religious Indoctrination in the IDF

The IDF is not allowed to allow religious elements to preach their doctrine to the soldiers


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59% of Israeli public opposes ultra-Orthodox parties in coalition

59% of Israeli public opposes ultra-Orthodox parties in coalition

Against the background of the “change government” that is taking shape and news regarding Bennet and Lapid hoping to add the ultra-Orthodox to their coalition, the question as to whether the ultra-Orthodox parties should be included in the coalition arises again.

Beware of fighting words!

Beware of fighting words!

A group of Christian leading clergy recently published a proclamation, calling upon the leaders of the Democratic Party to “be careful about appointing Jewish politicians to the Biden Administration, for they have nationalistic Jewish loyalty and affinity for the State of Israel.”

The elections and the Jewish-Arab and secular-Haredi tensions

The elections and the Jewish-Arab and secular-Haredi tensions

A survey conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute several days after the election revealed the depth of dissatisfaction of the majority of the Israeli public with the election results. Two-thirds of the public is dissatisfied with the results [including the majority of Jewish voters for the right, left and center parties] and 80% believe that Israel is facing its fifth round of elections in the coming year.

The Court conversion ruling and the elections

The Court conversion ruling and the elections

Non-Orthodox conversion and the Supreme Court are playing a key role in these elections, especially in the election propaganda of the ultra-Orthodox parties.

The friend of my enemy is my enemy

The friend of my enemy is my enemy

Most people are familiar with the expression “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” – it dates back to the 4th century BCE, and one compelling example of its relevance is the case of the USSR partnering with the Western European nations and United States to defeat the Nazis. A more recent compelling example is the increasing closeness of the Gulf States to Israel, as Iran, a common enemy, threatens them both.

What's at the heart of the current election campaign?

What's at the heart of the current election campaign?

All the relevant political players understand that issues of religion and state are at the heart of the election battle and will be key elements in the negotiations that will be undertaken following the elections.

Update on COVID-19 and religion

Update on COVID-19 and religion

Two weeks ago, we wrote that we thought that public and media engagement in Israel regarding the connection between the corona plague and the ultra-Orthodox sector had reached a peak, but as it turned out, the two weeks since then have proven us wrong.

Secular Israelis prefer Arabs over Haredi Jews

Secular Israelis prefer Arabs over Haredi Jews

Data from a new survey published in the media show that while only about half of secular Israelis (53%), were willing to live next door to ultra-Orthodox Israelis, 69% of them are willing to live next to Arabs!

Haredi education and Israel's future - will elections bring change?

Haredi education and Israel's future - will elections bring change?

The state invests NIS 4.4 billion in ultra-Orthodox education, and 84% of the boys studying in ultra-Orthodox post-primary schools are at in institutions where there are no core curricular studies.

Once again – Religion-State conflict irreconcilable

Once again – Religion-State conflict irreconcilable

This week, Israel was confronted once again with compelling evidence that the longtime festering conflict between religion and state in Israel is irreconcilable. Resolving it by removing state authority from Israel’s religious establishment is the only answer.

Haredi sector is leading Israel toward bankruptcy

Haredi sector is leading Israel toward bankruptcy

A recent Haaretz article underscores how the disregard of significant groups in Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community on the issue of restrictions imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19 marks a deadly low point on a path of self-destruction that has been underway for many years, and how Israeli society and government have allowed them to do so.

Messing with the Law of Return again

Messing with the Law of Return again

MK Smotrich's bill seeks to limit the horizons of Judaism and close the gates of conversion to the largest Jewish denominations of the Diaspora

Bibi must tell the truth to his ultra-Orthodox partners

Bibi must tell the truth to his ultra-Orthodox partners

PM Netanyahu and the Treasury find themselves under escalating pressure of the Haredi Coalition partners to increase funding for the Haredi yeshivas.

The Imminent Political/Legal Explosion

The Imminent Political/Legal Explosion

The ultra-Orthodox parties have pushed hard on the Prime Minister in their coalition negotiations. The amendment to the Draft Law is the only issue of religion and state relations that is spelled out in detail, not only in the agreements of the ultra-Orthodox parties with the Likud, but also in the Likud's agreement with Blue & White.

The State of Israel is but a Co-op Board

The State of Israel is but a Co-op Board

Reading the Ultra-Orthodox print and online media one would not have realized that Israel has just marked its most important national holiday, Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Day of Independence) and its only two official memorial days: Yom Hashoah and Yom Hazikaron.

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