The Ultra-Orthodox Jewish (Haredim) Community in Israel: A Detailed Analysis
The Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, often referred to as Haredim, plays a significant role in the sociopolitical landscape of Israel. Historically a smaller minority, this community has gained increasing political influence and social visibility in recent years. Their rise has created tensions between them and the largely secular and liberal segments of Israeli society. These tensions stem from issues related to political power, economic benefits, military service exemptions, and broader cultural divisions.
A. Political Representation:
Which Political Parties Represent the Haredim?
The Haredi community is represented by two primary political parties in the Israeli Knesset (parliament):
1. Shas – A party that primarily represents Sephardic and Mizrahi Haredi Jews.
2. United Torah Judaism (UTJ) – A party that primarily represents Ashkenazi Haredi Jews, with UTJ itself being a coalition of two sub-parties:
Agudat Yisrael (Hasidic Haredim)
Degel HaTorah (Lithuanian Haredim).
Both Shas and UTJ advocate for the interests of the Haredi community, focusing on maintaining religious observance in the public sphere, protecting religious education systems, and securing government funding for their communities.
B. Reasons for Haredim Gaining Momentum in Recent Elections
In recent Israeli elections, Haredi parties have gained significant political influence, despite the largely secular and liberal composition of Israeli society. Several factors explain this phenomenon:
1. Demographic Growth: The Haredi community is the fastest-growing segment of Israeli society, with a birth rate that far surpasses that of the general population. According to a 2023 demographic report, Haredim make up around 12% of Israel's population but are projected to increase significantly in the coming decades. This demographic growth directly translates into more political power, as more Haredi citizens become eligible to vote.
2. Political Unity and Coalition
Bargaining:
Haredi parties are known for their disciplined voting patterns, with high voter turnout rates. They often act as kingmakers in Israeli coalition governments due to the fragmented nature of Israel’s political system. Their loyalty in voting and their ability to form strategic alliances with larger right-wing parties, such as Likud, have enabled them to secure influential positions within successive governments. In return, these alliances have often resulted in increased funding for Haredi institutions and policies that align with their religious agenda.
3. Increased Political Mobilization: Over the last few years, the Haredi parties have become more politically active in appealing to broader segments of the population, particularly traditional, religious, and right-wing voters. As secular parties struggle with internal divisions, Haredi parties have succeeded in mobilizing their base by focusing on protecting religious education, securing funding for large families, and preserving religious autonomy in areas such as marriage, conversion, and Sabbath observance.
4. Social and Religious Identity: The Haredi community views political participation as a means of preserving Jewish religious life in Israel. As secular forces push for greater separation of religion and state, many Haredim see political power as the key to maintaining their way of life.
Recent Election Results (2019–2023)
The Haredi political parties have been consistent participants in Israeli governments over the past few years, leveraging their growing demographic and political influence. Here are the election results for Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ) over the last four years:
April 2019 Election:
Shas: 8 seats
UTJ: 8 seats
Total Haredi seats: 16 (out of 120)
September 2019 Election:
Shas: 9 seats
UTJ: 8 seats
Total Haredi seats: 17
March 2020 Election:
Shas: 9 seats
UTJ: 7 seats
Total Haredi seats: 16
March 2021 Election:
Shas: 9 seats
UTJ: 7 seats
Total Haredi seats: 16
November 2022 Election:
Shas: 11 seats
UTJ: 7 seats
Total Haredi seats: 18
In all these elections, Haredi parties either maintained or increased their political strength, reflecting both their growing population and their solidified political base.
C. Rift Between Secular and Haredi Communities
One of the most profound divisions in Israeli society is between the secular and Haredi communities. This rift has deepened in recent years due to several key factors:
1. Government Benefits for Haredim: The Haredi community receives substantial financial aid from the Israeli government. This includes funding for Yeshivas (religious schools), unemployment benefits, and child allowances. The latter is particularly significant given the high birth rates in Haredi families, which can often rely on this government support. Secular Israelis often perceive this as an unfair distribution of state resources, as many Haredim do not participate in the workforce at the same rates as the secular population.
2. Military Service Exemptions:
A major source of tension between secular and Haredi Israelis is the exemption of Haredi men from mandatory military service. While secular Israelis (both men and women) are required to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for a number of years, Haredi men who are enrolled in Yeshivas can defer or avoid military service altogether. In a country that is frequently at war and where military service is seen as a national duty, this exemption has led to widespread resentment, especially during times of crisis, such as the current conflict with Hamas and tensions in the north.
3. Cultural and Educational Divisions:
Many secular Israelis are concerned about the cultural isolation of the Haredi community. Haredim often live in insular neighborhoods, follow strict religious practices, and send their children to religious schools that do not teach core secular subjects such as math, science, and English. Critics argue that this system fosters economic dependence on state welfare and undermines efforts to integrate Haredim into the broader Israeli society and economy.
4. Political Tensions During War Time:
The current war with Hamas in Gaza has exacerbated the rift between secular and Haredi communities. Many secular Israelis have expressed frustration that while their children are serving on the frontlines, Haredi men are exempt from military service and are perceived to be benefiting disproportionately from state resources. Calls for universal conscription have resurfaced, with secular politicians and activists demanding that all sectors of Israeli society share the burden of national defense equally.
5. Judicial Reforms and Political Power:
Recent judicial reform efforts, spearheaded by right-wing and Haredi political factions, have also deepened the divide. Secular Israelis, particularly from the left and center, view these reforms as a threat to the independence of the judiciary and a means to entrench Haredi power. The reforms are seen as a way to protect Haredi interests, such as exemption from military service and the continuation of government benefits, while weakening the secular-liberal values that have traditionally shaped Israeli law and governance.
Current situation regarding the Shiva education system, unemployment benefits, and child benefits for the Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) community in Israel:
1. Shiva Education System
The 2024 state budget has allocated significant funds to the Ultra-Orthodox education system despite overall budget cuts due to ongoing conflicts. Specifically, over NIS 2 billion ($528 million) has been earmarked for Ultra-Orthodox education, including NIS 1 billion ($264 million) for yeshivas and NIS 590 million ($156 million) for instructors in schools that do not teach the state-mandated core curriculum⁹. This funding is part of coalition agreements and has been maintained even as other educational sectors face cuts⁹.
2. Unemployment Benefits
The unemployment rate among Haredi men remains significantly higher than the general population. As of the latest data, the unemployment rate for Haredi men is approximately 49%, compared to 14% for non-Haredi Jewish men⁶. This high unemployment rate is partly due to the community's focus on religious studies over secular employment. The government provides unemployment benefits, but there is ongoing debate about the sustainability and effectiveness of these benefits⁷.
3. Child Benefits
Child benefits are a crucial source of income for many Haredi families, who tend to have larger families. Recent changes in the budget have reduced child allowances, which now provide a flat rate of NIS 140 ($39) per child for families with children born after June 1, 2003¹. This reduction has been criticized for disproportionately affecting large Haredi families, who rely heavily on these benefits combined with yeshiva stipends¹. The government has argued that these changes are necessary to encourage a "culture of work" rather than dependency on state support¹.
These updates reflect the ongoing challenges and debates surrounding the allocation of funds and benefits to the Ultra-Orthodox community in Israel.
Conclusion
The rise of the Haredi political bloc in Israel represents a significant shift in the country’s political and social dynamics. The Haredi community’s growing influence has been driven by demographic growth, political unity, and strategic alliances with right-wing parties. However, this rise has also intensified tensions between the secular and Haredi populations, particularly around issues of government benefits, military service exemptions, and cultural autonomy.
As Israel navigates ongoing security challenges and socio-economic transformations, the rift between the secular and Haredi communities will likely remain a central issue in the nation’s political discourse. Whether through political compromise or continued division, the outcome will shape the future of Israeli society and its democratic fabric.
Source:
¹: [Times of Israel](https://www.timesofisrael.com/reduced-child-allowance-benefits-come-into-effect/)
⁶: [Times of Israel](https://www.timesofisrael.com/haredim-are-fastest-growing-population-will-be-16-of-israelis-by-decades-end/)
⁷: [Haam](https://haam.org/ultra-orthodox-jews-unemployment-rates-and-the-israeli-economy/)
⁹: [Times of Israel](https://www.timesofisrael.com/wartime-budget-slashes-education-funds-but-not-for-the-ultra-orthodox-complain-mks/)
(1) Wartime budget slashes education funds, but not ... - The Times of Israel. https://www.timesofisrael.com/wartime-budget-slashes-education-funds-but-not-for-the-ultra-orthodox-complain-mks/.
(2) Haredim are fastest-growing population, will be 16% of Israelis by .... https://www.timesofisrael.com/haredim-are-fastest-growing-population-will-be-16-of-israelis-by-decades-end/.
(3) Ultra-Orthodox Jews, unemployment rates, and the Israeli economy. https://haam.org/ultra-orthodox-jews-unemployment-rates-and-the-israeli-economy/.
(4) Reduced child allowance benefits come into effect - The Times of Israel. https://www.timesofisrael.com/reduced-child-allowance-benefits-come-into-effect/.
(5) Who are Israel’s ultra-Orthodox and will conscripting them sow discord .... https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/7/21/who-are-israels-ultra-orthodox-and-will-conscripting-them-sow-discord.
(6) Stimulus cash likely to benefit big families after ultra-Orthodox, Arab .... https://www.timesofisrael.com/stimulus-cash-likely-to-benefit-big-families-after-ultra-orthodox-arab-pressure/.
(7) OECD calls on Israel to end subsidies for yeshiva students, boost .... https://www.timesofisrael.com/oecd-calls-on-israel-to-cut-subsidies-for-yeshiva-students-boost-employment/.
(8) Israel is facing a ticking bomb: Haredi unemployment. https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-722709.
(9) Ultra-Orthodox unemployment rates unsustainable, Fischer says. https://www.timesofisrael.com/ultra-orthodox-unemployment-rates-unsustainable-fischer-says/.
(10) Rift Over Ultra-Orthodox Education Funding Deepens Israeli Coalition Woes. https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2024-09-06/rift-over-ultra-orthodox-education-funding-deepens-israeli-coalition-woes.
(11) Israel among highest in education expenditure as measured against GDP .... https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-among-highest-in-education-expenditure-as-measured-against-gdp-study/.
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