In his first public comments after his victory, Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak pledged “to be everyone’s prime minister” and asserted that “whatever the differences of opinion between us, we are brothers.”
The sentiment was admirable and reassuring, and Barak should be praised for giving it voice. Acting upon it will be a formidable challenge, though, considering that folk considerably less pledged to unity and goodwill are vying for places in Israel’s new government.
One example is the new Shinui Party, which captured six seats. Throughout the campaign, Shinui railed incessantly against the “ultra Orthodox” as opening “the door to Khomeinism” and continues to call for an end to Israel’s long-standing official respect for traditional Judaism.
Shinui’s principles demand “not only freedom of religion but also freedom from religion.” A similarly anti-religious party, Meretz, retained its nine seats.
And yet, at the same time, Israel’s religious populace is hardly leaving the scene.
The religious parties — Shas, United Torah Judaism and the National Religious Party — captured a total of 27 seats in the election, up from 23 in the previous Knesset.
All of those parties are what we Americans call “Orthodox,” and all are perceived as Israel’s enemies by supporters of