Multicultralism

Question 1

Is there multiculturalism in Israel?

Answer 1

Zionism, creating a shared national identity among Jews from various countries of origin

Question 2

What are tensions between Zionism and Liberalism?

Answer 2

Liberalism places individual rights and autonomy above group rights

Question 3

What are tensions between Zionism and multiculturalism?

Answer 3

MC seeks to perpetuate differences/diversity, demand recognition of different groups rights

Question 4

Does Israel recognize cultural groups?

Answer 4

Yes, but it lacks a unifying core - instead of an “Israel nation”, the society is polarized and consists of antagonistic groups.

Question 5

What are the main tensions between groups/camps within the Israeli society today?

Answer 5

Jews and PAI, Left and Rights, Religious and Secular, Rich and Poor, Mizrahi and Ashkenazi

Question 6

What contemporary challenges exist with respect to multiculturalism?

Answer 6

Challenges arise when there are significant differences between the groups in terms of their preference for regime type, political culture and the nature of the legal system, because cultural groups have different images of desired society and polity

Question 7

What happens when we drop liberalism?

Answer 7

Multiculturalism and Nationalism are collectivist ideas

Question 8

What happens when we drop nationalism?

Answer 8

Societal cohesion, stability, sovereignty, territory and borders

Question 9

What happens when we drop multiculturalism?

Answer 9

Historical minorities, indigenous people, immigrants are unprotected

Question 10

What is the role of a state vis a-vis culture?

Answer 10

The state is neutral, creates a common public culture and fosters a uniform national identity, recognizes cultural diversity