Understanding Israel Today by Elisa Silverman

Author:Elisa Silverman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mitchell Lane

However, many other Israelis feel these smaller parties have too much power. They can be the deciding factor when forming a new government, and a coalition needs just two or three more Knesset votes. They may agree to join only if other members of Knesset support their causes in exchange.

The law is expected to encourage multiple small parties that represent the same group or interest to work together. Separately, the small parties may not reach 3.25 percent, but together they could.

Other Big Israeli Issues

The electoral threshold law isn’t the only issue on Israelis’ minds. Here are other issues that have Israelis talking:

Conscription of Ultra-Orthodox Jews

There is a mandatory draft into the Israel Defense Forces that applies to most Israelis, certainly to most Israeli Jews. However, a large number of draft exemptions are given to ultra-Orthodox Jews, as long as they remain studying in a Jewish religious school called a yeshiva. Instead of serving in the IDF along with other secular and religious Jews, Haredi men usually choose to stay in yeshiva. Many of them believe they’re serving the Jewish nation best by studying Torah and keeping Jewish traditions alive.

In a nation surrounded by enemies, a large military is essential to ensure the safety of all of Israel’s citizens. Most Israeli men and women take on the risks associated with military service in order to protect their country. The fact that the Haredim enjoy this protection but don’t have to share in the risks is not fair, some Israelis say. A bill limiting religious exemptions recently passed in the Knesset. It is strongly opposed by the Haredi community.

Cost of Living

In recent years, the cost of living has risen steeply for Israelis. The price of cottage cheese, an Israeli diet mainstay, jumped 40 percent in three years.4 The cost of renting a home in Tel Aviv also jumped 40 percent in six years.5 In 2011 there were widespread protests against a variety of social and economic issues. Different protesters had different priorities, but there were protests against rising prices, lack of business competition due to a few Israeli corporations holding a lot of economic power, and increasing gaps between the rich and the poor.

Not everyone can agree on a solution, however. Members of Knesset have formed committees to address these issues, but so far most Israelis are frustrated that there’s been little change.

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