In Israel, religious extremism has gone unchecked in the educational establishment, in top levels of government, and among prominent religious leaders – radicalizing a growing number of Israeli youth and endangering Palestinians.
by Kathryn Shihadah
When the story broke recently that radical Israeli rabbis were caught calling for the enslavement of non-Jews, it didn’t get much coverage outside the Israeli media and a few blogs, including Mondoweissand Tikkun Olam.
A handful of articles containing disavowals (including from Middle East Envoy Greenblatt and the ADL) subsequently appeared in Israeli papers, but few American readers/taxpayers were informed that Israel (supposedly “our greatest ally,” the self-proclaimed “only democracy in the Middle East”) is rife with religious extremism.
The majority of Israeli Jews would not be considered “extremist” or “radical” (although 64% of those aged 18-34 and 47% of those 35 and older identify as right-wing). But a growing number of prominent Israeli religious figures, many with large followings and a degree of political clout, fit the bill.
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