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

See all articles by Raphael Cohen-Almagor

Raphael Cohen-Almagor

University of Hull; Middle East Study Centre; Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

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

Cohen-Almagor, Raphael and Cohen-Almagor, Raphael, The Monopoly of Jewish Orthodoxy in Israel and Its Effects on the Governance of Religious Diversity (July 19, 2017). in Anna Triandafyllidou and Tariq Modood (eds.), The Problem of Religious Diversity (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2017), pp. 250-272., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3005359

Raphael Cohen-Almagor (Contact Author)

University of Hull ( email )

Cottingham Road
Hull, Great Britain HU6 7RX
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.hull.ac.uk/faculties/staff-profiles/raphael-cohen-almagor.aspx

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars ( email )

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Middle East Study Centre ( email )

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Hull, HU6 7RX
United Kingdom
0044-1482 465024 (Phone)
0044-1482-466208 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://hcc.haifa.ac.il/~rca

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