Religion and State Affairs in Israel
explanatory Essay
1196 words
Religion and Politics in Israel
Israel is confronted with the dilemma of how to exist as a pluralistic, and democratic state and at the same time retain its Jewish character. There seem to be a lot of back and forth bickering between the secular Jews and the ultra-orthodox or more conservative Jews as to how the law and religion shall meet or in fact be separate.
One of the first things to look into should be the law of Israel that is outlined in the ministry of foreign affairs web site for Israel. It is actually underlined that there is and must be a freedom of religion and worship and even a list of the different recognized religions of Israel. The following religions are recognized by the state of Israel: Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Druze, and Baha’I, within the Christian religion the following denominations are recognized: Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Latin (Roman Catholic), Armenian Orthodox, Armenian Catholic, Maronite, Syrian Orthdox, Syrian Catholic, Chaldaic (Catholic) and Evangelical Episcopal (Anglican). As one can clearly see Israel is a diverse religious holy land and there is an abundance of different religions along with different sects. It seems to be intrinsic that the state of Israel then accommodate and allow freely the worship of ones own religion. There is no such thing as a religious police, and one is free to dress how one feels appropriate. The theocratic state is nowhere near the type of strict religious state of for example Iran or Saudi Arabia. However religion actually does play its part in Israel. For example the populations religious needs are supplied by authorities established by law (religious councils). Budgets are allocated for religious purposes, and there is a minister of the Cabinet responsible for religious affairs. The religions involvement in the states matters is expressed, for example in the fact that Kosher food is by law provided to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), and the government facilities as well. Special orders were also set for the IDF by the religious council as to the mission and duties for an IDF soldier. There are also other religious laws that have been incorporated into Israeli law, for example the laws limiting the raising of swine, or the laws even forbidding the public showing of leaven (hametz) in Passover. Another issue that has come to the forefront many a time is the issue of shopping malls and anything being open during Sabbath, which is the day of rest from sunset on Friday evenings until sunset Saturday night.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that israel is confronted with the dilemma of how to exist as a pluralistic, democratic state and at the same time retain its jewish character.
- Explains that israel is a diverse religious holy land and there is an abundance of different religions along with different sects.
- Explains that religious laws have been incorporated into israeli law, such as limiting the raising of swine or forbidding the public showing of leaven in passover.
- Explains that the first cracks in the wall of restrictions appeared in mid-1980s when cinemas, theaters and cafes began to defy a sabbath ban on public entertainment and open their doors on friday evenings.
- Explains that israel is a healthy and democratic state, with orthodox and secular jews in the knesset, but not extreme in their interpretation of the torah.
- Opines that israel's diversity and its ability to maintain a democratic style government while at the same time maintaining its jewish heritage and home land are the positive things about israel.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that the united states and israel shared a passion for democracy. both countries had similar foundations, established by immigrants, towards religious tolerance and democratic ideas.
- Opines that president truman's pro-israel outlook was based on humanitarian, moral, and sentimental grounds, which were an outgrowth of his religious upbringing and familiarity with the bible.
- Explains how the 1956 suez canal crisis was an influential point in american-israeli relations. the british left a power vacuum in the middle east and north africa, in reach for the ussr to gain control of territories.
- Analyzes how the united states' involvement in israel weakened the soviet union's presence throughout the middle east.
- Analyzes how the soviet union and the united states' interests were battled in israel, which made truman take a defensive standpoint in israeli-american foreign policy.
- Explains that the six-days war, which resulted in another israeli victory, launched an increase support diplomatically, militarily and economically led by the united states.
- Cites the economist's article, "an affair to remember," and benson, michael t. truman and the founding of israel.
- Explains that gendzier, irene, and geselbracht, raymond h. "the united states and the recognition of israel: a chronology."
- States that rebenberg, cheryl a. israel and the american national interest (urbana and chicago: university of illinois press, 1986), 126.
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In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how lybarger and gorenberg analyze the historical and political circumstances that gave rise to religious nationalism in the communities of palestine and israel.
- Analyzes how lybarger attributes the rise of religious nationalism to massive destabilizing events such as war, occupation, uprisings, and the failure of the peace process.
- Analyzes lybarger's analysis of the palestinian political identity, rejecting the traditional dichotomy of secular versus religious nationalism.
- Explains that gorenberg, gershom, and lybarger, loren d. the accidental empire: israel and the birth of the settlements, 1967-1977.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that zionism, the desire to rebuild a jewish national presence in the promised land, became popular jewish cause after world war ii.
- Explains that secular jews express their jewish identities in a variety of ways. some feel attached to the state of israel, but their zionist leanings are not strong driving force in their lives.
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In this essay, the author
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In this essay, the author
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In this essay, the author
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- Explains that gamal abdel nasser was appointed president of egypt in 1952 and began a blockade of israeli shipping through the suez canal.
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- Analyzes how the un interfered by ordering that all forces be removed from the egyptian state, which the british and french rejected. the us called for another cease-fire, supported by an unsuspected ally – the soviets.
- Analyzes how nasser was pressured by syria to cease the presence of unef in egypt and the gaza strip, bringing heated government discussions and strong criticism from the united states, united kingdom, canada, and even israel.
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2053 wordsRead More - Six Day War: Operation Mokedanalytical essayThe State of Israel, one of the youngest countries in today’s world, is no stranger to conflict. Prior to the removal of the British Mandatory Palestine tension between the Palestinians and the Jews were high as immigrants from Europe flooded into Palestinian territory.
In this essay, the author
- Explains oren, michael b. six days of war. new york: the random house publishing group.
- Analyzes thomas j, marshall maj. "isreali helicopter forces." military review, 1971: 94-99.
- Explains that the 1948 arab-israeli war was a major crossroad in history for the zionists. the constant threat of inhalation led to operation moked during the six day war.
- Explains that as the ottoman empire ended, the conditions were set for immediate conflict between the newly formed countries.
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- Describes how the israelis were successful at massing their forces on multiple objectives at a synchronized time.
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1385 wordsRead More - America’s Influence over Israelopinion essayA place where America’s influence over Israel is clearly visible is Iran. The leader of Iran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, publicly and frequently calls for the destruction of Israel. Iran is also a sponsor of Hizballah, which is recognized by both Israel and the United States Department of States as a terrorist organization. Hizaballah is the organization responsible for kidnapping and killing the Israeli soldiers that led to the Lebanese war cited above. Iran is also accused of having a major role in the terrorists’ attacks against the U.S. such as those terrorist groups in Iraq who frequently kill U.S. soldiers. According to Israeli intelligence, Iran has the technical capability to build a bomb, but they do not yet have the necessary enriched uranium to build a bomb. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff who serves as one of the principal military advisors to the President, said on April 2009, “I think the Iranians are on a path to building nuclear weapons. Michael Hayden, the outgoing director of the Central Intelligence Agency, one of American’s main overseas intelligence organizations, said, “I’m amazed that Iran is willing to run the costs they are running if they are not trying to keep the option open for a nuclear weapon.” Agreement that Iran is pursuing the attainment of a nuclear weapon is not the sole belief of the United States. Israel is adamantly convinced that Iran is attempting to build a nuclear weapon. Israel’s military chief said that from the end of 2009, an Iranian nuclear bomb is a choice that they can exercise rather than a scientific feat that they have to overcome. So it is agreed that Iran is trying to build a bomb and would like nothing more than to exterminate Israel. America’s in...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that iran is a sponsor of hizballah, which is recognized by both israel and the united states department of states as terrorist organization.
- Opines that iran is trying to build a bomb and would like nothing more than to exterminate israel. america's influence over israel is apparent in that israel has done nothing but sit nicely on the sidelines while the us announced unilateral sanctions against iran.
- Opines that the u.s. has a significant level of influence over iran.
813 wordsRead More - 1996: A Turbulent Year For Israelnarrative essay1996: A Turbulent Year for Israel 1996 has been a very turbulent year for Israel. This lies in the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin on November 4, 1995. Rabin's great work in the peace process with it's Arab neighbors has been nearly reversed by Israel's newly elected Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who actively opposed the peace process in the election. Netanyahu's term of service has not only affected Israel politically but also socially, intellectually, religiously, and economically.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that they are stationed in the west bank town of hebron and will only guard the 440.
- Opines that he was tired of the stalling on the israeli government's part.
- Narrates how the final details were worked out on january 1, 1997.
- Quotes arafat saying, 'what you need sir, is not the arrogance of power but the power.
- Narrates how they would slice their hands to pieces so that they wouldn't be abused by their wife.
- Opines that they are designed to instill fear in palestinians so they won't try to kill them.
- Opines that x-files are big hits in israel, and a recent israeli pole finds that one in every
- Narrates how they tried to lease dedicated lines to be hooked up to the university, but it got the run.
- Describes the road ahead of him to try to keep down inflation and taxes while still trying to.
- Opines that the middle east is one of the most volatile regions in the world so no one knows for sure.
- Opines that a rail link between gaza and the west bank should be formed. the major problem would be the cost.
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In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how washington used the surrogate strategy to control the outcomes of regional interactions in the middle east, and chose israel to play the role of a regional protector. israeli violations were condoned or even approved by the us administrations.
- Analyzes how the pro-israel intervention represented the us foreign policy reaction when the violation to regional stability was committed by israel.
- Analyzes how washington's reaction to the six-day-war and the volatile period that followed it was only post factum. washington ignored the israeli violation to regional stability and put no pressure on israelis to withdraw from the territories.
- Explains that the us was expected to intervene in a decisive way to prevent israel from proceeding in its wmd plans, but it did not.
- Argues that the pro-israel model was counter to us interests in securing regional stability.
- Opines that no two countries will always have the same interests. there have been instances where american and israeli interests were at odds.
- Concludes that israel was not much of an asset when it comes to maintaining dynamic stability or even preserving the status quo in the region and has repeatedly frustrated us efforts to deal more effectively with region’s problematic issues.
- Opines that washington might find it easier to address middle east crises were its policies not constrained by the prior commitment to israel. israel looks first and foremost to its own interests.
- Explains that us support for israel is a significant source of anti-americanism in the middle east. the "special relationship" with israel made us interests more magnetic targets for outraged groups.
- Explains that us inactiveness in the face of israeli adventures was broken only once, namely, the suez crisis, when the us intervened to address the imbalances caused by the tripartite aggression against egypt
1247 wordsRead More