This book review was written by Eugene Kernes
“A governmental commission of inquiry that investigated the
police response exposed an institutional pattern of government discrimination,
prejudice, and neglect of the Arab minority over decades, expressed among other
things in the chronic underfunding of Arab municipalities and schools, widening
the social gaps and deepening poverty.” – Isabel Kershner, Chapter 6: Sabras
and Olive Trees, Page 195
“The rapidly expanding Haredi population posed one of the
greatest internal challenges to modern Israel.
Those who trembled before God had little ingrained respect for the
state, many being ambivalent about Jewish sovereignty preceding the arrival of
the Messiah, or even rabidly anti-Zionist.
By the early 2020s, the Haredi sector made up at least 12 percent of the
general population, and 16 percent of draft-age Israelis, though most Haredim
shunned military service. Half the men
chose full-time Torah study over formal work, living off government stipends
and stirring the resentment of taxpaying Israelis.” – Isabel Kershner, Chapter
Seven: Haredi and Israeli: Having It All, Page 223
“Universal conscription had allowed a
small, young Israel surrounded by enemies to build a formidable fighting force
at relatively low cost, by giving it the pick of the country’s best and
brightest human capital. The principle
of equal service had allowed the IDF to foster an ethos of social solidarity
and cohesion – David Ben-Gurion’s military melting pot for an immigrant nation
– and later, to remain a last bastion of national consensus for a largely
native but fractious population. This
status afforded the army popular legitimacy, allowing it a wide degree of
freedom of action.” – Isabel Kershner, Chapter Eight: Half the People’s
Army, Page 265
Is This An Overview?
Israel can seem united, but is
socially divided. Social divisions based
on ideology, religion, ethnicity, and state policy. Israel’s social identity was formed by people
who built a state out of an existential threat.
But after the existential threat was removed, Israel lost its unity. Zionism had accomplished its goal, and
stopped being a motivator. No longer an
immigrant nation, and no longer share a Zionist upbringing.
Different factions
took their place. Different groups are
fighting for representation. Those who
want an integrated inclusive region, and those who think others are an enemy that
respond only to violence. Those who want
to treat other with human rights, and those who defend violations of human
rights. Those who are religious, and
those who are secular. Those who are
part of an ethnic group, and those part of another ethnic group.
Jewish sovereignty is
based on religious mythology. With the
Bible as the deed. With laws that defend
the land for Jews only. The religious
community do not respect the state, as they listen primarily to religious
leaders. Many do not participate in
military service, and chose religious study rather than formal work. Supported by government funds, which is
resented by taxpayers.
The religious
community wield political influence, which shapes voting outcomes. They supported belligerent factions, which
gained and maintained power through corrupt means. The Israeli justice system supports justice
for Jews, not others. Contains an
exceptionally sophisticated intelligence network, as long as the perpetrator is
not Jewish and the victim not Arabic.
For if they are, the network ceases to function.
What Happened To The Kibbutz System?
The region of Palestine had become the Jewish state of
Israel due to population size. The
Kibbutz system incentivized immigrates that enabled sovereignty. The Kibbutz was a farming commune that
provided safety for living. Without the
need for safety, the Kibbutz system had failed as there was no longer a
purpose. Had transitioned from being
sustained by communal work, to sustained by becoming a real estate enterprise, and
through Holocaust reparations.
Alternative income sources that built luxury, and used immigrants as low-income
employment. But the reparation income
had declined as members were not sharing their income, causing the Kibbutz to
charge members. Rather than equality,
those who are politically connected have more power within the Kibbutz.
Various locations, not only in the Kibbutz, feature foreign
cheap labor. Labor that contains abusive
treatment, with the people overworked, and underpaid. Who live in poor housing, and work with hazardous
material. There are qualified immigrants
who do not keep their qualifications.
How Does Universal Conscription Affect The State?
Universal conscription enabled a relatively low-cost army
composed of the best human capital.
Enabled social solidarity and cohesion.
While the public wants a change, to develop a professional volunteer
army, with a proper salary. The army
does not want to lose their ability to recruit form the best.
There have been disillusioned army veterans, who opposed
military practices. Speaking about the
practices caused them to be demonized as traitors.
Caveats?
The book is meant to explain
Israel’s social and political system to others, to outsiders. While many references are explained,
sometimes the reader would need prior background to understand the
content. There are some Jewish myths
raised, which are sometimes disapproved, sometimes used to validate a claim.
