The Monopoly of Jewish Orthodoxy in Israel and Its Effects on the Governance of Religious Diversity
in Anna Triandafyllidou and Tariq Modood (eds.), The Problem of Religious Diversity (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2017), pp. 250-272.
30 Pages Posted: 25 Jul 2017
Date Written: July 19, 2017
Abstract
The paper is opened by explaining the nature of liberal democracy and its underpinning principles. It then outlines the difference between liberal and illiberal societies, and the nature of Israeli State Judaism. The paper explains that State Judaism in Israel is Orthodox, and that Jewish illiberal Orthodoxy does not promote diversity. It limits freedom of choice citizens have in leading their lives. It is argued that there is a widespread institutional discrimination against other forms of Judaism, Reform and Conservative, and against the Palestinian-Arab minority (I use the terms Palestinian and Arab interchangeably). It is further argued that if Israel aspires to be an egalitarian-liberal democracy it should respect secularism and other forms of religion (Jewish and non-Jewish).
Keywords: liberal democracy, religion, women rights, discrimination, Israel, Judaism, diversity, secularism, minority rights
JEL Classification: Z10
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation