New Fences in Israel

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

The guardian has reported a story about the Jerusalem authorities putting up a barrier in a nursery school which seperates secular and ultra-orthodox Jewish children, some only two years old. These sorts of stories are becoming increasingly common in Israel. So, I have two questions:

1. Is this trend about an increasingly uncompromising religious faith, or is it about wanting to shut out the outside world and ignore the wider picture in the Middle East.

2. Where is Israel going?

Link:http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011...-ultraorthodox

[Hax]

1) Either way, it's not going to have a good effect on the stability in the Middle East. There will have to be compromises and people have to talk with one another. I just don't think that the Netanyahu government is fit to do so.

[Banquo's Ghost]

The guardian has reported a story about the Jerusalem authorities putting up a barrier in a nursery school which seperates secular and ultra-orthodox Jewish children, some only two years old. These sorts of stories are becoming increasingly common in Israel. So, I have two questions:

1. Is this trend about an increasingly uncompromising religious faith, or is it about wanting to shut out the outside world and ignore the wider picture in the Middle East.

I have no real conception about what goes on in religious fundamentalist minds, but it seems a logical progression that if everyone else is "wrong" they would seek to segregate themselves - and especially their children - from the unbelievers. It strikes me that hard-line religious are usually more hateful towards members of their own faith who are "fallen" than to those outside or of a different faith.

2. Where is Israel going?

When an country increasing tries to define itself and the rights of its citizens by a "faith" it is likely to put itself at the mercy of those who control the articles of faith. Israel gets ever more obsessed with excluding the "other" through a mixture of fear and an idiotic system of representative government. One can only hope the people will wake up and step back from an unpleasant brink where their destiny is in the hands of religious fundamentalists.

[rory_20_uk]

On point 2, they're on difficult ground with the two groups that are growing the most quickly being Ultra-Orthadox Jews and Muslims. The middle is getting squeezed. Seeing as how they cling on to being a democracy, these two groups will garner more votes. It is not a mix for a tolerant society to emerge.

[Rhyfelwyr]

Well given the fact Haredi families tend to have 6+ children, it's not surprising that they are growing in influence.

The also appear to be stealing the mantle of Zionism from secular Israelies. It used to be the old Israeli secular left were the hardcore Zionists, with the Haredi believing that any man-made attempt to regain their promised land was sinful.

But now this seems to be changeing. The Israeli secular left (well they are more centre-right these days like everyone but whatever), as with the international left is much more sympathetic to the plight of Palestinians. And now more and more Haredi's are accepting Zionism and as a result becoming involved in the state through electing their own parties, serving in the IDF etc. Not to mention the ultra-orthodox settler communities.

Extreme religion and ethnic nationalism always make for a fun combination...

EDIT: So no, it doesn't really bode well for anyone.