The socio-economic ideology of religious Zionism in Israel: 1995–2007

Abstract

During the past two decades religious Zionists have developed several different approaches regarding social justice. The middle class among them have tended to identify with neo-liberal policies. Many nationalist Zionists chose compartmentalization and adaptation, i.e. they accepted the prevalent capitalist outlook without a deep understanding of its religious implications. The ‘strong’ nationalists and strictly Orthodox have had little to say about socio-economic issues. This derives from their emphasis on the spiritual calling of the people of Israel and its general disregard for material life. There is also a connection between their messianic, rightist, religious and political orientation and a right-wing socio-economic outlook. The moderate nationalist, Torah-oriented (Torani) wing tends either towards a ‘third way’ or towards a more moderate leftist direction. The liberal religious sector has both liberal religious and liberal welfarist economic views.