The Brussels Times: A risk of civil war between nationalist fascists and humanist adherents of democracy
The elections on 1 November resulted in an unexpected victory for former Prime-Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The new government claims that it has been given a democratic mandate because it won the elections.
To clarify what this might imply for Israel, The Brussels Times contacted philosophy professor Asa Kasher at Tel Aviv university. In 2000, he was awarded the prestigious Israel Prize. As professor in ethics and practical philosophy, he drafted the Code of Conduct for Israel Defense Forces.
“There are now two Israeli groups, represented by parties that under current circumstances control the government in practice, because without their support the government does not have a majority. One group is the Ultra-Orthodox and the other one is the Ultra-Nationalist.”
“Both groups differ very much from traditional mainstream Jewish and Zionist movements. The Ultra-Orthodox nurture a form of life that cannot be economically maintained by the state of Israel. The Ultra-Nationalist nurture a form of life that is racist and incompatible with the idea that Israel should be a democracy and not only the nation-state of the Jewish people.“
"The government in making will be the most despicable and dangerous government Israel has ever had.”
“The continued policy of ultra-orthodox forces is expected to result in socio-economic frictions and the economic collapse of the state. The continued settlement activity of ultra-nationalist forces will result in Arab revolts, both in the Occupied Territories and within Israel. There is also a risk of civil war between nationalist fascists and humanist adherents of democracy, including secular Zionists.”