Israeli Expert Calls for National Effort to Combat Normalized Hate and Racism
Professor Eiran Halperin, a leading scholar in political psychology and founder of the Accord Center, appeared on the Re:Israel podcast by Reichman University and Calcalist to discuss the growing normalization of hate in Israeli society. Speaking with Dr. Yossi Meravi and student Roni Goren, Halperin emphasized that the main threat is not just the presence of hate but its acceptance as a normal, mainstream phenomenon. He warned that hate, racism, and extremist ideologies like Kahanism have become legitimized in political and media spheres, contrasting with past eras when such rhetoric was publicly condemned, citing the example of Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir’s reaction to Meir Kahane’s racist speeches in the 1980s.
Halperin explained that political psychology studies how emotions such as fear, identity, and hatred drive political behavior, and that influencing these emotional processes is key to changing political actions. He noted that while hate and fear exist in all societies and can sometimes strengthen group identity, the problem arises when hate is no longer seen as dangerous but as an acceptable part of public discourse. This shift, he argued, undermines social cohesion and democratic norms.
To address this, Halperin proposed establishing a national authority dedicated to combating hate, racism, and Kahanism. He called for the incoming government to prioritize this issue publicly, sending a clear normative signal from the highest levels of leadership. He stressed that fighting hatred must be comprehensive and consistent across all groups, rejecting selective approaches that combat antisemitism while tolerating racism against Arabs, ultra-Orthodox Jews, or political opponents.
Halperin also challenged the intuitive belief that simply bringing rival groups together will resolve tensions. Research shows that such encounters can sometimes reinforce unequal power dynamics and reduce motivation for change unless carefully managed. Despite the challenges, he expressed hope, citing evidence of positive change in schools, organizations, and communities when interventions are research-based and professionally implemented. He concluded that many Israelis are alarmed by the current state of affairs and that with clear goals, belief in change, and committed effort, reversing the normalization of hate remains possible.
