What must Israel do to unify its splintered society?

Dumping Haaretz in the Mediterranean would be good start.

- more important than the fact of segregation itself. people, groups, 'peoples' segregate for reasons of fear & safety, & in order to somehow keep away from real threats felt by them, aspecially as groups. it's just that not all 'systems', ie societies, are developed /mature enough, so that different population groups wouldn't percieve those threats (part of the perception may of course be 'imagined' /learned /whatever). this may be the case for different reasons, due to all kinds of things, so no wonder the segregations & suspicions etc., as you say, are the recipe for the worst possible ways things may go. but i still hold that in a real & established democratic system, whis israel definitely is, the circumstantial part will play the decisive role as to why problems remain, fester & then lead to catastrophies (/why they develop the other way). in israel's case it's been the whole absurd, abnormal, existential situation the state has been exposed to from day one.

self hating jew (why on earth?), - i very much agree w/the point your're making, but don't believe there's no democracy without an actual constitution. remember, the still 'constitutionless' UK works as a great democracy just fine & is even considered a cradle of it (because, i guess, the democratic process there began real early w/the parliament limiting royal power). but yes, i also think israel needs a 'secular' (as far as political system is concerned) constitution real badly, especially w/clearly delineated boundaries between synagogue & state. this is of course, in practice, to a great extent a reality already in israel, but it's not politically /legally formulated & monopolies remain, as you i'm sure know well, tied to the orthodox religious establisment & this is harmful to society in basic ways.

- different from other countries struggling w/it. the difference is that it's quite a lot harder to 'repair' /solve this in israel, 'cause the country is basically a military camp (pardon me the expression), so an intricate problem like that just has to be harder to solve than in, say, a natural park like switzerland. btw, few people seem to know that the swiss actually are a real military power, but they can afford to consider it something like a hobby & use all resources available to not just work hard at problems, but on solving them & even polishing them. once there's a real peace, /at least a real way to peace on the horizon, i think the world will be surprised at how capable the israelis are, too, at taking on these issues. scandinavians have had much less tensions to deal with in this area than even f.ex. holland, & again, a main key are the circumstances. in addition to politics these countries are also blessed w/small populations, natural resources, a lot of space..

Very interesting article on a crucial issue for Israel. In addition to knowledge I would also include the value of dialogue, discussion, of questioning as it is the tradition in yeshivas in order to avoid an idolatry of knowledge

..first time that i'm agreeing with you

...the one realistic solution of building bridges between dati Jews and Arab Muslims: respecting monotheism and Torah, Avraham as our mutual patriarch, Elohim-Alla as the Creator, rejection of secularism, rejection of hedonism, rejection of homosexuality, a number of aspects of kashrut, a common front against idolatry--including Christianity. These and similar areas of shared values are the goals now being pursued together by forward-looking Orthodox rabbis and Muslim clerics. This is the future and those who stand in the way of these values stand in the way of an enduring peace between the children of Avraham--and both dati Jews and Muslim Arabs who will dominate this future agree that opposers of this future don't belong in the Holy Land. The best contribution hedonist leftists pursuing an American dream could make would be to move to America. Jews who refuse to contribute to this future should get out of the way so that dati Jews can forge a future with our Arab Muslim cousins.

Taking into account only Arab and Khareidim children misrepresents the facts. When one adds in the Orthodox with the Khareidim it becomes apparent that Israel is firmly on-track to becoming a Judaic state with a significant Arab minority. It is clear from this, to any objective analyst, that coexistence will have to be forged between Arabs and a Judaic Israel predominated by dati Jews. Resolving this question, no other (!), can lead to peace. So what can Arabs and dati Jews share together? First, nearly all of these Arabs are likely to be Muslims. So the question reduces to what is shared between Arab Muslims and dati Jews? First, all of the other myriad directions Israeli seculars are trying to pull Israel apart to pursue must be abandoned--stopping the dismemberment and internal bloodletting--to focus on the one realistic solution of building bridges between dati Jews and Arab Muslims: respecting monotheism and Torah, Avra

A timely article and possibly we should be cicumspect in accepting the talkbacks that have used it as a peg to hang their prejudices on My suggestions: Take a step back Take a deep breath Acknowledge the miracle of what has been achieved so far. In just over 60 years.Stunning! Don't look for whipping boys. Both the Arab and Haredi systems of education have remarkably successful aspects that can be integrated with optimum effect into any educational milieu. Confront the reality of an elitist stratum in any integrated system Acknowledge that we stand at the portal of the next stage of our educational development and then martial all the vast resources that we have to [gradually] develop a fully integrated cranio-centric education.

Perhaps the author meant well, but his policy is based on erroneous assumptions. Russian speaking immigrants are integrating faster than he thinks, most no longer can't read and large percentage can't write in Russian anymore (their assimilation is a matter of time). haredim do NOT value education that is not Talmud based. They also deny their women a proper education. Bottom line: they will NOT buy into any "Knowledge" Nation. As for Arabs, they too see no value in educating their women or even encouraging them to work. They also only see their future as taking from the State while NOT giving back. The proof in this is how few Arabs participate in non military national service. A greater participation in national service would've led to improved education, contacts, and integration leading to jobs and meaningful participation in society. The government just needs to enforce a national currucilum and national service for Arabs & Haredim!

Australia is the country that encourages integration into its society and culture whilst allowing and encouraging different ethnic and religious groups, be they Indian, Chinese, Jews or Arabs and is the proper example for all countries to follow. Its young and vibrant and open to differences of thought and opinion of all sorts without formality and "flag waving".Its a matter of pride to be an Australian, no matter your background otherwise you're simply not welcome!

Isn't it interesting how mainstream is defined by the writer. 50% are Haredim and Israeli Arabs 15% are children of immigrants from the former Soviet Union So the remaining 35% of secular and national religious somehow together are a "Mainstream"? They may once have been a mainstream but it surely changed long ago and only cultural blindness prevents Carlo from seeing reality. There is no mainstream although one may soon emerge.

segregation only maintains the separation...and it reinforces the stereotypes that lead to suspicion, animosity, bigotry, and hatred.

the left in israel consists of the empty minded elitists ! who have no intention to be part of the mainstream israeli & blindly copying the west and adopting the western living ! a trend where israel special social needs are ignored. alas for them; at the end of the day, the enemy of israel will never differentiate between the israeli left from the israeli right ! to the enemies of israel we are all jews ! israel forget that the zionist created this state of israel & unless israel remembered the reasons why this state was created, troubles will follow for ALL of us !

This is impossible because Israel does not have a stable society its one thats growing as a result of alliyah. When you have 1 million Russians you can't say to them just be one of the gang, they want to be amongst their own. The Anglos & French want to be amongst their own. The arabs want to stick with other arabs. They haredi want to stick with other haredi they don't share secular culture and would never want to. In the US there is no mass immigration from any individual groups anymore and the country has such a large population anyway so individual groups don't make up a significant sector. Also unlike America Israel has a national religion and jews are always going to feel they fit in more than arabs will, America has always been secular These groups want to be with the people who share the same cultures The education system won't start making us all feel like we are all part of a single nation there are to many cultural & religious differences.

it's in the declaration of independence, a non-binding proclamation, and NOT the constitution

MG: "LONG LIVE SPARTA!" This would be the Sparta that adopted "a way" that eventually led to its army having its arse kicked by the Thebans. You want Israel to go that way, do you, Michael? MG: "LONG LIVE SPARTA!" Where is Sparta now, Michael? I can still see Athens on the map but Sparta, no, not so much.....

How could Israel ever be a so-called "multicultural society", when it's founder(s) decided that it should be a "Jewish State"? A "Jewish State" as a multicultural and democratic society is an oxymoron, and the example of the U.S., cited in Strenger's article, is - with all its warts - a true multicultural society primarily because it's founders insisted on the separation of religion from government.

The article brings up a question which is vital for Israel's quality of life, if not its future survival. Haaretz as a respected and influential newspaper can help by framing its articles in moderate as opposed to inflamatory tones, whenever they are critical of issues and events. The country and its people have been through a great deal and survived, so there is good reason to respect one another. Hopefully this will be reflected whenever news articles are written in Israel. Ben Laden said after 9-11-2001, he wanted the US to have a "choking life". It is also what Israel's enemies want for Israel. An example are the daily Kassams which may not have killed but did surely destroy one and one's neighbor from the inside.

A great idea, but a "knowledge nation Israel" will not remove the boundaries between Jews and non-Jews if Israel does not abolish Zionsm. This would make Israel a much better country.

How about the usual unifier - warfare? That's always worked for Israel up to now. It's peace that is dangerous.

...Israel's declaration of independence stated that there would be a written constitution that guaranteed everyone's rights, women, minority, religious, everyone. "...which shall be adopted by the Elected Constituent Assembly not later than the 1st October 1948... ... "it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions; and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations." At this point in history, it has become glaringly obvious why Israel never followed through on its promise in its own declaration of independence.

Regarding the largely successful integration of diverse immigrants into US culture - public schools were perhaps the single biggest factor. Children from diverse background learned and played together. Currently, Christian religious conservatives are leading the way toward more private schools and a more culturally fragmented society. My guess is that Israli religious conservatives would be largely unwilling to send their children to secular, public schools that would have a culturally homogenizing influence on future generations as well as providing a more shared cultural identity.

Wow, another gem of academic distilled social engineering. And what would Mr. Strenger have us be? Should we all be named Carlos, working as professors and social engineers. I enjoy the circus we call Israel. Like any society its citizens fill the vacums implied in a working society. Thus we will have our plumbers, professors, doctors, high techers, prostitutes, politicians, soldiers and Left and right wing fanatics as well as those who can't stand the society and think they know better, and write articles implying that they will lead us into the real land of milk and honey. Enough already.

Israel must remain strong and resist the pressure to slice it up and hand over our land to foreign occupiers who have waged a war of terror against us for 60+ years. We will not give up our homeland and risk our nation of people to another genocide for false promises and lies. Am Yisroel Chai!!!

We as Israelis must admit to ourselves that our enemies do not want peace at this junction and only a full unconditional surrender by Israel's enemies (still actively at war with Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Arab league excluding Jordan/Egypt/Morroco) and has not yet once it's indepence war. That's right, Israel's war of Independence is ongoing with borders from this war still undetermined and disputed. The green line has nothing to do with 1967 but everything to do with the Armistice lines of 1949 and until we win this war there will never be peace.

Carlos thinks that Israel is Uganda and that the Arabs living in Historic Israel will agree not to be any more Moslems. What is OK for every other country does not apply to Israel. Why ? Because of the religious symbols that YOU DO NOT WANT TO SEE because you do not care. When you will take care of these you will have a better idea of how to deal with the issue. It is theological, stupid and blind lefty.

The first major change would be a separation of religion and civil law. Allow the rabbis to fulminate all they want, the Knesset will be the ultimate legislative body and only the Knesset, subject to a constitutional framework, will be able to promulgate legality. This means civil marriage, divorce, and all other treatmeant enforced by the state. The other change is obvious: EQUAL PROTECTION OF THE LAW. Such a step is the most vital. If a Jew can perform an action, it must be legal as well for an Arab or a non-Jew. For too long, Israel has held and promulgated double standards. For the future, this must end. The only thing holding Jews together in Israel has been the myth that the entire world is anti-semitic. Israel has used the fear of the 'other' as the glue holding their society together. Yes, true integration will help, but only if accompanied by the idea that nobody can be denied equal rights due to ethnicity or religion.

The only way Israel can survive is the Spartan way! Forget about USA scenario. The heredim and the muslim are impossible to absorbe, just look what is going on in Europe! LONG LIVE SPARTA!

Inter-ethnic apprehensions fostered by decades of wars, occupation, and segregation. Taking the "Jewish" out of it will not effect a paradigm shift in Israeli-Palestinian relations. This whole push is effectively worthless if Israel's image, economic worth, and political situation (ie occupation) decline to such an extent that Israel reverts to its survival mentality. Ideas such as these can't be bred in isolation, rather, they must be co-opted by notions of dual statehood, rapprochement with much of the Arab world, regional economic integration, etc.

Mark Lincoln has hit the nail on the head. A homogenous education for all Israeli children (including Arab children, of course) will act as a catalist that unifies all segments of Israelis. Heredis and perhaps Muslims could use the concept of Saturday (or Friday)-schools to teach extra curricullum subjects which may be omitted in the main stream education. It is imperative to replace our national anthem and its Diaspora Jewish overtones if we want our large minority of Arab Israelis to co-operate. However, why do I feel that it is mainly the Heredim who will resist this?

That's what America has that you don't. So either you codify the laws on equality for all or you admit that you are a racist theocracy. At least have the brass to put it on paper. The problem with you as a society is you let your leaders talk out of bot sides of their mouths and through their hats at the same time. Create a constitution with guaranteed rights for all, remove the military from the civil sections of government and give the courts the power to enforce it all. Until then you are dead as a nation.

I am one of those who loves the circus I call Israeli society. Since it was socialist for forty years, it was not able to provide the openess of America's capitalist ethos. But that is changing. I say nyet to social engineering. Just as city planners usually provide us with dull and ugly spanking new towns, which are both asthetic as well as social failures, why do we put our trust in academics to to plan our societies? Just as older, organically built towns usually fit into their landscapes, allowing Israeli society to develop naturally is a far better idea. Knowledge is nice, but what does it do to a citizen who wishes to be a plumber or street musician. We do not need more elitist crap, what we have to do is stay out of people's ways and allow them to develop as they choose. As for education, huge amounts of money are poured into this open sore anually. From my experience the problem is with the bloated over-paid beauracracy of social planners.

More a lumpy stew Chico. The last folks off the boat, or across the border, will not be easily integrated, but by the third generation they usually are more or less. There are varied results from place to place. The eventual results is inevitable. None were more despised and discriminated against for longer than the Irish. As Mayor Johnson said in Blazing Saddles, 'we'll take the ni##ers and the chinese, but not the Irish." See: Papist, Know-Nothings, Fenians, 35th President of the USA.

the problem is that one morning waking up, opening our eyes and looking through the window one finds that the dream has disapeared. the only real solution is waiting for the messaia to come, at that day we,ll come out of our graves and go up singing to jerusalem and all the world will chear. do'nt forgrt, the late lubavitch rabi said that the messaia is allready among us, so it wont take long for the dream to come true.

Diversity brings together many skills, capabilities and aspirations. Tolerance allows a people to meld a common vision. A constitution provides the governmental fabric to help guarantee equitable treatment. Israel and Zionism have provided none of these building blocks. Instead it has sustained an arrogant sense of superiority and entitlement that forsakes Arabs and Jews that do not fit a specific profile of Ashkenazi. Israel's existance is tenuous in a world of diversity. The Jewish heritage has been based on assimilating into many different cultures and becoming contributors to those cultures. But also we have gained from those cultures. This is not the time to retreat into isolationism and harbor a culture that is oppressive to all other peoples that may come within its grasp. Israel should lead in building a nation-state that has a constitution, equal rights and a tolerance for diversity. Abandon zealotry now.

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They are more familiar with the Israeli Hebrew culture than either the "Russians" or the Haredim. But to do that, they would have to be given equal rights.

".... Literacy, both for men and women, was the norm, and intellectual pursuit was seen as a value in itself...." For women ?? Are you kidding ? Women were, and still are among the orthododx, prohibited from learning Torah and teaching them was considered tiflut (i.e. "lewdness" (R.Eliezer, Mishnah Sotah) David

While lone voices discuss inclusiveness, thr political mainstream is obsessed with "recognition of Israel as a Jewish state". And not even the Jews have a common conception of a Jewish state ... Seems like a failing project.

"The U.S: guaranteed every citizen the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And anybody with enough will and drive could pursue the American Dream of prosperity and dignity" You forget the descendants of the slaves, Mr. Strenger. It took the U.S. a cruel civil war to abolish slavery, and more than 170 years after the independence of the U.S.A. to integrate racially the schools. So let us hope that your dream of a Knowledge-Society as an unifying ethos for Israel, will take less time to materialize.

gained right to settle in GB (after having faithfully served for 200 years) only last year . So much about "reaching into heart of the British society " ,something you wish for pals to be allowed with regard to Israel. p.s. I don't think you'd find Muslims employed at British atom power stations or as pilots in the British Airways .

The juxtaposition of Arabs and Haredim looks like another Secular-Political Zionist mantra meant to place Traditional Jewish Scholarship into a Ghetto where "Halachically Observant Jews" sit in their corner like good little boys and girls and let the others experiment with new forms of "Jewish expression" that change each Monday and Thursday. The reason there was any kind of Zionism at all was that Jews in Western and Central Europe saw all kinds of nations that were subservient to some kind of Imperial power breaking away from them. Moses Hess saw "Rome" reappear in the form of Italy and figured that the Jews could rise again as "Jerusalem" aka Zion, hence Zionism. All the while, ever since Jerusalem was destroyed, Jews prayed for their return to the Land of Israel, hence Zionism. Hess a Secular Jew, persuaded other Secular Jews that it was kosher to want to Return to the Land of Israel, hence, the beginnings of Classical Zionism.

... a knowledge based society operates 24 hours, 7 days a week .... it doesnt stop for the shabbat

You are so right: no constitution is the problem. Why has there been none written? Is it the influence of the Haredi who believe that god is the only influence needed? In fact there is never any news that a constitution is even being considered! Without such a document there will never be true democracy in Israel, and it is living a lie to say that there is such there now. Thus it is a myth to say that "America's friend and the only democracy in the middle east is Israel," is it not?

Great Achievement. One of the great achievenents of Europe was,to separate, Religion from State. If this is not carried out in Israel too, life will become more unbearable. They claim they are religious ! But many take advantage of Israel's laws allowing religious boys & girls to skip army service. Ben-Gurion at the time, for political expediency,allowed a small number of Religious Jews to be exempt frpm Army Service & spend their days in the Yeshevias. But what we see today,are huge groups roaming the parks & streets ! All Healthy boys should be conscripted. Nothing lasting will come out of such a multitude of Yeshiva students. No Rabbi Akiva will come out of them! Like many ordinary non-Yeshiva students.They work in order to save money for the university. You can find boys & girls working in Cafes,& restaurants,sometimes till the late hours of night. You won't find ANY Yeshiva boys! & G-D forbid girls,paying their way! There should b 7 yeshivot & 70 boys only.

I agree that the only longterm viable future for Israel is one of inclusiveness. This is how the USA became a powerful nation, able to unite a large mass of people from such different cultural and religious backgrounds behind the single notion of being 'American'. In the words of Shlomo Sand: "The myth of the Jewish ethnos as a self-isolating historical body that always barred, and must therefore go on barring, outsiders from joining it is harmful to the State of Israel, and may cause it to disintegrate from within." "The Jewish supra-identity must be thoroughly transformed and must adapt to the lively cultural reality it dominates. It will have to go a process of Israelization, open to all citizens." Israel will need to develop a policy of democratic multiculturalism. Palestinian Israeli children should have access to the heart of Israeli social and productive centers. And Jewish -Israeli children must be made aware that they are living in a state where there are many "others".

With only 7.4 million in population for Israel, and a world population of approximately 16 million jews, how many sub-cultures can you have until there is no "mainstream" at all. This is a time for Israeli unity.

"Haredim seem to be pushing for a theocracy; Arabs do not feel any commonality with Jewish Israel, and Russian immigrants have created their own culture, with their own bookstores, newspapers and TV channels, even though the younger generation is beginning to integrate into Israel's society and economy." - Carlos Strenger Relax about the Russians. They are following a classic path to integration. The other two groups ARE a problem. The Haradi ARE determined to enforce a theocracy, and are evermore virulent in that position. The rise of the Israeli right has caused evermore alienation of Israel's Arabs. This reversal of the intentions of the Labor Zionists to have a Jewish homeland which was also religiously and culturally tolerant is as big a threat as the Haredi. The Knowledge-Nation sounds great Mr. Strenger, but unless the kids go to school together it will not work. It wasn't just the education that made a difference in America. It was kids playing together and sharing.

The author and most Israelis miss the basic fact that without a constitution based on individual rights.......there is no democracy.It would be smart to educate the entire population as to the need for such a constitution asap.The question is: are the Israelis capable of functioning in a true democracy ?

"One of the most significant forecasts to come out of 2009 is the fact that Haredi and Arab children are on their way to becoming a majority among Israel's first graders." - Carlo Strenger Here in the USA we have had the same problem for far longer than Israel. Our most successful vector for integrating immigrants has been our system of public schools. Free, anyone can attend, indeed must attend some school. But Israel has chosen segregated schools rather than integrated ones. So, I went to 'segregated' schools, but they were only segregated down color lines, not class, and religious lines. We might have been white, and mostly protestant, but there were catholics and Jews - and eventually blacks. . . We also had our culture - mongrel as it is - a culture which favors youth and takes in the youth of all who arrive within a generation. Those first grade Arabs and Haredi will be learning apart, and learning to be apart.

Carlo Strenger joining Haaretz (Strenger than Fiction) is a major boost in quality for the newspaper. Here is a man with imaginative ideas about the future of Israel, that are worth debating. Thanks Carlo Strenger.

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First you must quell all the ethnic divisions in the Near/Middle East which seems impossible for right now. Than you draw up a touring map which encompasses the entire area. In the 1800's, the area formed part of the Grand Tour. People did the Napoleanic Thing. They would go to the area to see all the major sites mentioned in the Bible. It would be sort of a Archaeological Disney Type Tour. People could travel to all the major sites in one sweep including Aleppo, Damascus, Jerusalem, Masada, Egypt and the Pyramids, as well as Petra, and Ancient Babylon. It could all be part of this one big University rooted in all the Classics. People would study and at the same time, visit where it all began. That sort of thing. Uhhh. Excuse me. Please continue...