Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Araghchi to Grossi: These parties will bear responsibility for the consequences of their actions
Araghchi to Grossi: Iran will respond to any unlawful action by European countries or parties attempting to turn the Agency into a tool for achieving their objectives
Araghchi to Grossi: We urge the Agency to warn against the consequences of any political move against Iran
Araghchi to Grossi: We call on the Agency to highlight Iran’s full cooperation during the upcoming Board of Governors meeting next week
Araghchi to Grossi: We demand that the Agency reflect the facts in a manner that prevents certain parties from exploiting it to advance their political agendas
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi holds a phone call with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi
Trump envoy Witkoff has sent 'detailed and acceptable proposal' to Iran for nuclear deal; it's in their best interest to accept it: White House Press Secretary Leavitt
Hamas official says Witkoff's position toward group was 'unfair' and shows 'complete bias' to 'Israel'
Hamas official says it has considered Witkoff's proposal acceptable for negotiations, says 'Israel's' response was incompatible with what the group agreed on
Hamas official says group has not rejected Wikoff's proposal for Gaza ceasefire

UnHerd: Is this the last of the Israeli secular Left?

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: UnHerd
  • 28 Mar 2023 16:34
4 Min Read

In light of the recent unrest in the occupation, "Israel" is likely to witness the rise of a new axis focused on religious-secular issues, without the left.

  • x
  • Mounted police confronts anti government protesters in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, March 27, 2023. (AP)
    Mounted police confront anti-government protesters in "Tel Aviv", "Israel", Monday, March 27, 2023. (AP)

For the past few months, all eyes are on the Israeli occupation as it faces local unrest. Mass protests took place against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government decisions, which include preventing an overhaul of the court system that seeks to reform the traditionally powerful Israeli judiciary. However, analysts suggest that the real threat is the "electoral rise of the settler population's ultra-Orthodox population."

The occupation's ultra-Orthodox settlers have long been the third rail of Israeli politics. The ultra-Orthodox settler community has served as a stop-gap in Israeli governing coalitions, presenting as a willing quid-pro-quo partner that could fill out a coalition with the requisite seats needed to form a government.

Ultra-Orthodox community 

In a piece by UnHerd, the report explains that the exchange was simple, arguing that the coalition takes care of a few key demands, such as funding of state-sponsored yeshivas or centers of religious study, and the ultra-Orthodox parties offer a willing vote on most issues.

With 18 of the current government’s 64 seats coming from ultra-Orthodox parties and another 13 coming from religious Right-wing parties, we are witnessing a major shift, UnHerd reported. For the first time, the occupation's secular Left has seen its deepest demographic fears spring to life.

With the ultra-Orthodox birthrates approaching seven per woman, nearly triple that of secular Israelis, electoral dominance by the occupation's religious group is a virtual certainty. While the secular Left has been aware of this for some time, it has never been a political fact. 

Read next: Haredi Jews may be force-recruited into Israeli occupation forces

Related News

US Envoy calls Hamas ceasefire response 'totally unacceptable'

Israeli families fear partial Gaza deal will leave captives behind

Since the beginning of the occupation, the Labor Party ruled the country politically, economically, and culturally, according to UnHerd. The most cherished institutions, including the IOF, were dominated by Labor.

This dominance began to fracture in the years after the First Intifada and finally shattered with Labor dropping from a major party to a political afterthought. Labor now has only four seats in the occupation Knesset. That said, the greatest strength of the secular Left, its unity, was lost.

Secular settlers 

For most seculars, the court is the last line of security against what they see as religious voters rewriting the occupation's "constitution," according to UnHerd. Since the days of Aharon Barak, a former Israeli Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Israeli occupation's judiciary has not been shy about overturning Knesset legislation.

While the judicial reforms are expected to shift the balance of power, this really means a shift in the occupation's politics and both cultural and economic conditions, according to UnHerd, as this is enough of an incentive to keep hundreds of thousands of mostly secular settlers on the streets for nearly a year.

The report adds that the resignation of Netanyahu’s security minister might even topple the occupation government, which could postpone the judicial reforms or even completely derail them. However, secular settlers who still comprise about 45% of the total population will not stand by as this long-term trend unfolds.

Read next: Israeli President urges immediate halt of judicial reforms

While the ultra-Orthodox parties were for decades willing to put aside differences, and even principles, in favor of creating a united voting bloc, the report suggests that it is possible to still see a political realignment that shifts the traditional political axis.

A different scenario is suggested by UnHerd, arguing that "Israel" is likely to witness the rise of a new axis focused on religious-secular issues that will unite moderate and hard left, centrist and even right-of-center secular Israelis under the banner of a new resistance to "religionization of the state." By taking a leap to the center, the Israeli left may reemerge as a political force, according to the report.

"It’s a watershed moment, with secular Israelis seeing the protest movement as proof that when politically unified, their demographic strength may remain intact."

  • Palestine
  • Israel
  • Benjamin Netanyahu
  • Judicial reform
  • Ultra-orthodox Jews
  • judicial reform plan

Most Read

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
MIT bans class president who gave pro-Palestine speech
US & Canada

MIT bans class president over pro-Palestine speech

Arab ministers condemn Israel 'ban' on planned West Bank visit
Politics

Arab ministers condemn Israeli ban on planned West Bank visit

Major General Hu Gangfeng, Vice President, National Defense University, People's Liberation Army, China, leaves after a panel discussion during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Politics

China blasts Hegseth, calls US top 'troublemaker' in Asia-Pacific

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: Reports
Technology

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: NBC News

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS