Last week, Israel elected its 17th Knesset (Parliament). I do not write this column, however, to elaborate on why the election results are good or bad. Instead, I would like to illuminate the wider array of domestic issues that concern Israelis and some of the many political issues in Israel that exist outside the scope of the Palestinian conflict. A nation of nearly 58 years, Israel has a vast array of achievements and flaws in the realms of domestic policy that are rarely covered by American media.
In terms of environmental awareness and conservation, Israel continues to make important strides. In a country comprised of more than 50 percent desert, water conservation and access is critical. Despite the country's arid terrain, 100 percent of the Israeli population has access to "an improved water source" as defined by the World Health Organization.
Additionally, while the rest of the world has been deforesting throughout the 20th century, Israel is one of the only nations with a negative rate of deforestation. In 2000, the rate of deforestation in Israel was negative 4.9 percent. In other words, Israelis plant more trees than they cut down.
Also, small groups of activists have made great strides in recycling and sustainable living. For example, Kibbutz Lotan, a small, intentional community in the Arava desert, builds structures out of mud, tires and other products that would otherwise be garbage. Its members also have a significant organic garden that grows a large percentage of their produce. Their mission is defined by "working to create ways to live in harmony with their desert environment."
Israel is also a leader in progressive social issues. On Feb. 13, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that lesbians could adopt their partners' children. Two parties that ran in last week's Knesset elections (Meretz-Yachad and Alei Yarok) had stances for the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana and supported gay marriage. While Meretz-Yachad earned only five out of 120 seats and Alei Yarok did not earn any, social justice issues are sure to continue to be prominent in Israel's 17th Knesset due to the 20 seats that Avodah, the labor party, won. Chairman Amir Peretz was quoted in the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz last Wednesday saying, "We are the only party that will make sure the next government will march toward peace and social justice."
Yet Israel, like any other nation, is not without domestic problems. While the Israeli economy is growing at a tremendous rate, Israeli poverty is as well. Israel has one of the greatest wealth gaps in the world. 20 percent of Israel's wealth is concentrated in the hands of 16 families. The unemployment rate in Israel was estimated at 10.7 percent in 2004. This, however, doesn't include the vast number of ultra-orthodox Jews who (for better or worse) choose not to work so that they can study. Thus, Jerusalem, the capital of Israel and arguably Israel's holiest city, is by many standards a city of orthodoxy and poverty.
Israel also struggles constantly with the relationship of religion and state and defining what exactly it means to be a Jewish democracy. The Israeli population is approximately 80 percent secular, and the divide between the secular and the religious is growing. The city of Jerusalem is too religious for many Israelis, yet many others think of Tel Aviv with disdain because it epitomizes secular Israeli culture.
We cannot forget the conflict either; Israelis certainly don't. There are many Israelis who believe that coexistence and peace are possible. Take a look at the city of Haifa. The third largest city in Israel, Haifa is a place where Arab-Israelis and Jewish-Israelis live together peacefully, along with the thousands of Russian and Ethiopian immigrants who also live there. There are non-profit organizations and centers all across Israel that work on coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis, bringing them together on issues like the environment and education.
We cannot allow ourselves to be complacent in the face of the international crisis that Israel faces. We cannot allow ourselves to absent-mindedly support all of the policies of the Israeli government or the Israel Defense Forces. But we must hold ourselves accountable for attempting to understand the bigger picture. We must understand that Israel is a young, growing nation that has made incredible achievements in the last six decades. We must understand that Israel has serious international challenges yet not forget its domestic challenges as well. We must understand that what Israel needs from the world is the right balance of constructive criticism, understanding and support. As Israel moves forward with Ehud Olmert as its next prime minister and a brand new political party in power, finding that balance is our only option.
Max Chaiken '09 is a Zionist who loves Israel and wants peace and justice.
