Israel's Religious Divide and Its Politics — Michael Freedman

6. 7. 2023

This episode of The IR thinker examines how two key religious communities in Israel, Haredim and Datiim, understand and relate to the State of Israel, its institutions and its policies.

Haredim
The term “Haredi” comes from the Hebrew word for “trembling” or “fearing”, and is often used to refer to “ultra-Orthodox” Jews. Haredim are characterised by their strict adherence to Jewish law (Halacha) and the segregation of their communities from mainstream society.

Datiim
The term “Dati” translates as “religious” and it is used to refer to “modern Orthodox” Jews or “religious Zionists”. This group also adheres to Jewish law, but they are generally more integrated into mainstream society than Haredim, and they have a positive outlook on the State of Israel, often viewing its establishment and continued existence as part of a divine plan.

Michael Freedman

Michael Freedman is an assistant professor (lecturer) in political science at the University of Haifa, where he is affiliated with the Political Behaviour Lab and the Haifa Data Science Research Center. He received his PhD in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2019.

Publications:

No Longer Sacred: Religious Post-Zionist Beliefs about the State of Israel

Vote with your rabbi: The electoral effects of religious institutions in Israel

Content

00:00 - Introduction
02:23 - ‘Haredim’ and ‘Datiim’: Divergent Approaches to the State of Israel
04:59 - Cohabitation of ‘Haredim’ and ‘Datiim’ in Urban Areas
07:43 - What Drives the More Pragmatic Approach of ‘Haredim’ Towards the State of Israel?
09:23 - The Possibility of ‘Haredim’ Women Pursuing Political Careers
10:45 - Understanding Gender Roles and Labour Participation Among ‘Haredim’ Women
12:06 - What Influences the ‘Datiim’ Approach to the State of Israel and the Gaza Strip?
16:03 - To What Extent Can Israel be Defined as a Religious State?
20:08 - The Prospects for ‘Haredim’ and ‘Datiim’ Serving in the Israeli Army
22:12 - Avoiding Mandatory Service in the Israeli Army?
24:18 - The Potential for Non-Jewish People to Serve in the Israeli Army
25:53 - The Religious Identity of the Israeli Government in 2023
29:13 - The Dynamics of Benjamin Netanyahu’s Political Support Among Religious Groups
32:43 - The Demand for a New Political Party in Israel
34:50 - International and Foreign Policy Perspectives on Tensions Between ‘Haredim’ and ‘Datiim’
36:28 - The Feasibility of ‘Haredim’ and ‘Datiim’ Serving as Israeli Ambassadors Abroad
37:43 - Envisioning an Ideal Political Model for the State of Israel
39:23 - Evaluating the Degree of Democracy in Israel: The Impact of Judicial Reform
44:06 - The Motivation Behind Governmental Efforts to Strip Courts of Certain Competencies, and the Associated Protests
48:25 - Does the Judicial Reform Unite or Divide the ‘Haredim’ and ‘Datiim’?
49:18 - Identifying Political Common Ground Between ‘Haredim’ and ‘Datiim’
50:50 - The Response of ‘Haredim’ and ‘Datiim’ to the Covid-19 Pandemic
52:49 - The Presence of ‘Haredim’ and ‘Datiim’ at Universities
55:38 - Where to Find ‘Haredim’ and ‘Datiim’ Scholars?
58:06 - Accessing ‘Haredim’ and ‘Datiim’ Communities for Research Purposes