Articles

In recent weeks it seems that something notable is happening in the Israeli haredi, or ultra-Orthodox, community when it comes to teaching math, English and science in schools almost exclusively devoted to religious instruction.

Abolishment of the standard of unreasonableness would lead to a further concentration of power in the hands of the executive – a power that is already greater in Israel than in many other democracies.

As the government completes its first six months in office respondents were asked to rate its performance in various fields.

Following the death of Rabbi Edelstein, the Haredi community faces a new and unprecedented situation. The identity of the new leader is not obvious, and whoever is chosen will be weaker than his predecessors. This places more power in the hands of the political functionaries, who bear no real responsibility.

AI technology is being used by the police in Israel without sufficient public and professional debate. This goes to the heart of issues of human and civil rights.

Should the foundations of the crime of incitement to racism be reconsidered? Absolutely-yes. But it should not be selective and favor a particular sector in society.

In Israel, the public sector succeeded in enhancing innovation in the private sector but has remained rigidly stuck in the past and lags behind OECD standards.

While nationalism and liberalism appear to contradict, under certain conditions, nationalistic loyalty strengthens the commitment to liberal and democratic values. 

This explainer will cover the current structure of the Haredi education system, its pedagogical requirements and the budgets it receives from the Government.

The Knesset voted for its representatives on the judicial selection committee. This is the first time it was not able to elect two representatives, leading to a second round of votes in the next 30 days. 

The reform proposal and the resulting protests brought to light and to a large extent also created conflicts on religious and ethnic grounds. The findings of this research reveal a strong relation between levels of religiosity and support or opposition to the judicial overhaul.

Four behavioral insights on the recent State budget and how it informs on Israeli society and politics.

The current model of the yeshiva and kollel world, in which all men are channelled for long years of study serves the goal of keeping young ultra-Orthodox men off the secular street. Paradoxically, the main victim is the Torah world itself.

Trust in the Supreme Court remains steady, while the share of Israelis who trust the Knesset has almost doubled since last year. Opinions on the likelihood of the government completing its term are fairly evenly divided in the Jewish public.

This year's Eli Hurvitz Conference included discussions of the economic repercussions of the judicial overhaul, ways to ensure the future of Israel’s hi-tech sector in the face of domestic instability and intensifying global competition, means to rein in the rising cost of living, and reforms designed to strengthen local government.

“We can create a historic opportunity for what we call ‘the 75th Alliance’. In the 75th year of the state, seventy-five percent of Israel's citizens agree among themselves on 75 percent of the issues.” MK Yair Lapid, former Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition

“I want to maintain a strong, independent system of higher education” Yoav Kish, Minister of Education

How would different tracks of enlistment change the longstanding Israeli ethos of service and sacrifice for the state and society?

For local government to be able to truly represent all residents and understand the diversity of their different needs, it is important that there be appropriate representation of men and women alike

Bank of Israel Governor: “the Israeli economy has experienced a significant shock in recent months following the proposed changes to the judicial system... continued uncertainty has significant economic costs.”

High cost of living in Israel is addressed at the Eli Hurvitz Conference on Economy and Society.

Study on the integration and mobility of individuals from disadvantaged economic backgrounds in the high-tech industry

40% of Israelis aged 25–44 cited the high cost of living as the issue that concerns them most. 80% of them have had to give up one or more item of expenditure, particularly leisure activities and vacation in Israel and abroad, and about 30% have refrained from buying basic items, food, or cars.

The OECD recommends granting local authorities’ greater autonomy in setting local taxation. The program being pursued by the current government raises fears of central government taking control of the Arnona (municipal tax) Fund, as has happened in the past.

Education can exist without democracy - however democracy cannot exist without education for democracy

The latest military action in the Gaza Strip was authorized only by the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister, without the prior approval of the Security Cabinet. Israeli decision-makers must ask themselves if this is really the way matters of war and peace should be decided in a democracy.

The ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Conscription bill, if passed into law, would in effect, allow Haredi men to totally avoid military service.

New survey of Israeli workers reveals changes in levels of satisfaction post COVID pandemic: Most workers in Israel are satisfied with their work-life balance, despite the fact that half of them work more than their official number of hours; around a third report difficulty with functioning in family life

For years, ultra-Orthodox leadership has been protesting that the internet will bring rack and ruin on the entire community and on individual users, however, the internet and especially the social networks, play a major role in the internal reforms that the ultra-Orthodox must introduce.

Young adults in every society are the face of that society's future, and Arab society in Israel is no different. They face a complex set of daily struggles, in all areas, in their attempt to forge a good future for themselves, their community, and society at large.