What are the Conflicts between Religious and Secular Jews in Israel?

Answer 1

While violent altercations between Religious an Secular Jews are rare, they do occur. Additionally, there have been political squabbles between these two groups since the formation of the State of Israel. Some of these issues include:

Draft and Regard for the Israeli Military: Many Secular Jews are angry that there are exemptions for Religious Jews to not serve in the Israeli Army. The army is considered by most Secular Jews to be the defense of the State of Israel, including the right for Religious Jews to live in Israel in peace. They note that Jewish observance is strongly curtailed in Arab countries and therefore without the Israeli Army, the Religious Jews would be unable to worship as they would like. Additionally, Religious Jews do not observe Yom Ha-Zikaron, which is the Israeli Memorial Day for all of the soldiers who have died in Israel's Wars and this non-observance angers most Secular Israelis since most Israelis know someone who was wounded or killed in the conflict. Religious Jews respond that they are praying for Israel's defense and studying to protect Judaism. Both of these things are requisite for keeping Israel in God's graces and protecting the soldiers. Additionally, they say that they mourn the loss of all Jews on Tisha B'Av, the traditional Jewish day of mourning for Jewish exterminations, not on a holiday mandated by an Israeli Secular Authority.

Welfare: Since many Israeli religious Jewish men spend their time studying and have families with an average of six children, a large percentage of Religious Jews in Israel live near or below the Poverty Line. As a result, they take in a large percentage of welfare. As the Religious population increases, this has become more and more of a drain on the Secular Jewish population that is primarily responsible for Israel's economic success. Religious Jews respond saying that they are living a truly Jewish life, according to Torah principles. There is no need to be a modern consumerist society, but to live humbly.

Negotiation with the Palestinians: While Secular Jews are divided over whether or not to negotiate with Palestinian Groups and how much to concede, most Religious Jews within Israel would prefer not to negotiate or recognize the Palestinians. Since resolving the Palestinian Issue is one of the most important foreign policy objectives Israel has, this makes it even more difficult to negotiate in good faith.

Religious Legislation: Secular Israelis are increasingly angered by Religious Jews instituting a restrictive form of religious laws in their neighborhoods. In some such neighborhoods like Mea Shearim in Jerusalem, ambulances are stoned on Saturdays, immodestly dressed women are spat on, non-Jews may be kicked out, and male-female segregation on buses has begun. Some Religious Jews decry these acts as well while others claim that modern law is perverse and overly permissive. The rules that they follow are much more in-keeping with Jewish values.