Israel isn’t suffering a constitutional crisis, but an identity crisis – opinion
T. Belman. At least fifty years ago I read Israelis and Jews. Israel’s Jews were asked whether they see themselves as Israelis or Jews. The division which existed then, exists today.
It is hard to imagine both gr0ups coming together on a common vision. Perhaps Israel should be divided into two areas, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Tel Aviv would include the coastal region and Jerusalem would be the rest. Tel Aviv would be a liberal democracy or what ever they decide and Jerusalem would be as Jewish as it wants. The government of Israel would levy taxes on both groups and will be responsible for defence and national infrastructure and whatever other duties both sides gave it.
Of course both sides would fight over the budget. Tel Aviv would be much richer and Jerusalem much needier.
As we stand in 2023, a clear, unified vision for Israel’s Jewish inhabitants has yet to emerge. Instead, the existing government has given rise to two sharply contrasting visions
David Ben-Gurion (credit: GPO)
We stand witness today to an escalating identity crisis in Israel, one that threatens to cascade into a full-fledged constitutional dilemma. This crisis transcends the realms of mere political turbulence or potential judicial transformations. It dives deep into the ideological heart of the nation, reflecting a divide between two considerable Jewish factions with divergent visions of what Israel should be.
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – MAY 8: Orthodox Jews come out into the streets of the Borough Park neighborhood to dance, sing, and light fires during the celebration of the annual Lag Baomer holiday, May 8, 2023 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images)[/caption]
SVEN KUHN von Burgsdorff, the representative ambassador of the European Union in Palestine, speaks to the media at Jenin refugee camp, last month. (photo credit: RANEEN SAWAFTA/REUTERS)
