Israeli Society Caught in Religious-Nationalist Grip, Scholar Argues
Israeli society is increasingly trapped by the intertwined forces of religious nationalism and ultra-Orthodoxy, according to Israeli political researcher Ariel David. In his book, "The Trojan Method: How an Ultra-Orthodox Minority Took Over the Israeli Right and Government," David argues that these movements are systematically infiltrating key positions and shaping the nation's future.
David's analysis builds on years of warnings from attorney Yair Nahorai, who has highlighted the growing influence of religious nationalists within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the increasing power of rabbis, particularly those from the Merkaz Harav Yeshiva, in various centers of power. Nahorai cautions that the integration of the ultra-Orthodox into the IDF could transform it into an "Army of God" under rabbinical command.
David extends this concern beyond the military, asserting that Israeli society as a whole is moving towards becoming a halachic state, or a state governed by Jewish law, a vision he attributes to figures like Bezalel Smotrich. He describes this shift as a "religious revolution within the Israeli right" that has fundamentally altered Israeli politics, pitting the Gush Emunim movement's push for a religious society against the liberal camp's desire to preserve a "Jewish and democratic" identity.
David employs the metaphor of the "Trojan Method," comparing the infiltration of religious-nationalist agendas to the Greek soldiers hiding inside the Trojan Horse. He explains that these groups use broadly Israeli narratives like security and Zionism, and address seemingly secular issues such as ethnic discrimination, to advance their political goals, rather than openly advocating for a Torah state or challenging secular courts.
Despite identifying as a Jewish Israeli researcher, David warns that the agenda of a halachic state poses an existential threat to free Jewish life in Israel. He emphasizes that this is not a distant fantasy but a tangible political agenda gaining significant traction within the right-wing political landscape. To counter this, David urges the liberal-democratic camp to confront this reality and to reaffirm the values of free Judaism, requiring self-awareness, commitment, and a willingness to adapt.
