Professor Warns Rising Hate Speech Against Ultra-Orthodox Jews Threatens Israeli Social Cohesion

Professor Raziela Gefen highlights a growing trend in Israeli public discourse that portrays the ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) community as a threat or burden. She warns that this dehumanization erodes moral barriers against harming an entire group. Gefen draws parallels to inflammatory rhetoric, such as calls to "dilute" the Haredi population or dismantle their religious institutions, which have become normalized among some media figures and left-wing activists. Examples include statements like "We will dismantle the world of Torah" and "Bring a Haredi to beat together," reflecting a hostile environment.

This toxic language has spilled into street-level tensions, exemplified by incidents during Haredi protests where a youth was killed by a bus, a driver brandished a gun at protesters, and police used excessive force against minors. Gefen questions whether Israeli society would react with the same indifference if similar events involved non-Haredi protesters, suggesting a disparity rooted in societal attitudes shaped by dehumanizing rhetoric.

She cites public figures who have labeled the Haredi community as "parasites" or a "cancer," and calls for closing yeshivas and cutting budgets to reduce their birth rates. While criticism of policies like military conscription or funding is legitimate, Gefen argues that framing an entire group as a societal disease crosses into dehumanization, historically a precursor to violence and discrimination. She references Nazi propaganda and Soviet anti-religious campaigns against Jews as examples of how such language facilitates persecution.

Gefen stresses that a democratic society must protect the rights and dignity of minorities with differing beliefs and lifestyles. Israel faces external security threats but must also address internal divisions fueled by hate speech. She warns that allowing hateful language to replace reasoned debate undermines not only the Haredi community but also the foundational principles of equality and freedom enshrined in Israel's Declaration of Independence. The struggle over Israel's identity should not involve marking internal enemies but embracing diversity and social cohesion.

The author is a professor of organizational management and behavioral sciences and a board member of the Professors for National Resilience group.