Post-pandemic ultra-Orthodox anger will split Israel

Significance

The pandemic has precipitated a cultural showdown between mainstream Israeli society and the ultra-Orthodox (or ‘haredi’, meaning ‘God-fearing’) Jewish community.

Impacts

• Mainstream resentment of Arab Israeli communities, suffered high rates of COVID-19 for similar reasons, could also rise.
• There could be more outreach between ultra-Orthodox and Arab groups, based on similar life patterns and ideological opposition to Zionism.
• Haredi families moving away from community norms could seek informal dialogue with wider society through non-governmental groups.