I wasn't talking about that, but since you bring it up:
mondediplo.com
<<< The nation's leaders, starting with David Ben Gurion, declined to take issue with the Orthodox on this crucial point. They agreed to impose the law with its religious constraints on one and all, and gave a good many privileges to the ultra-religious (such as exemption from military service for yeshiva students (3) and practising girls). Above all, they gave the religious parties authority over schooling, even secular schooling, on the pretext of reinforcing Jewish awareness among the young. >>>
"Jewish awareness" is a politicially correct way of saying they are reinforcing Jewish chauvinism, reinforcing the idea that Jews are not to co-mingle with Arabs.
<<< The religious parties would not benefit from their exceptional influence without the many educational and welfare institutions they run. This activity enlarges their social base and consolidates their ideological hold. Students - and through them, their parents - may get brainwashed. But the schools also help them face up to problems. For example, if the government and local authorities were to reduce or do away with hot meals for poor pupils at state schools, Shas' own establishments would provide them. Just as they offer extra lessons after school and transport home afterwards. Unsurprisingly, the religious parties make sure their schools keep on increasing. In southern Tel Aviv, the number of children registered in Shas nursery schools has gone up by 20%. And among those newly registered, there are many children from secular families. They come without a kippa (skullcap) the first day; then they get used to wearing them, and end up by joining in the prayers of their new little friends (9). These are the techniques used by the Islamist movement in Israel and Hamas in the West Bank and Gaza. Many secular Jews are leaving Jerusalem on account of the increasing religious constraints. >>>
Tom |
