Rivlin warns of ‘new Israeli order’

President Reuven Rivlin addresses the Herzliya conference, outlining the “far-reaching transformation” that he see Israeli society undergoing in the coming years.

“Today, the first grade classes are composed of about 38% secular Jews, about 15% national religious, about one quarter Arabs, and close to a quarter Haredim,” he says. “While it is true that numbers and definitions are dynamic, neither identities nor birthrates remain static over time. But one thing is clear, the demographic processes that are restructuring or redesigning the shape of Israeli society, have, in fact, created a ‘new Israeli order.’ A reality in which there is no longer a clear majority, nor clear minority groups. A reality in which Israeli society is composed of four population sectors, or, if you will, four principal ‘tribes,’ essentially different from each other, and growing closer in size. Whether we like it or not, the makeup of the ‘stakeholders’ of Israeli society, and of the State of Israel, is changing before our eyes.

The “new Israeli order” with the four fractured social groups will alter its character, he says.

“A child from Beth El, a child from Rahat, a child from Herzliya and a child from Beitar Ilit – not only do they not meet each other, but they are educated toward a totally different outlook regarding the basic values and desired character of the State of Israel.”

The president warns that the economic situation won’t be viable, and that the IDF will no longer stand at the heart of Israeli identity.

“From an economic viewpoint, the current reality is not viable. The mathematics is simple, any child can see it. If we do not reduce the current gaps in the rate of participation in the workforce and in the salary levels of the Arab and Haredi populations – who are soon to become one-half of the work force – Israel will not be able to continue to be a developed economy.”

He says Israel must “look bravely at this reality” and seek common ground between its four “tribes.”

“We are all here to stay – Haredim and secular Jews, Orthodox Jews and Arabs. Now, if we truly want to deal with the significance of the ‘new Israeli order,’ then we must bravely face the issue, and ask ourselves some tough questions.

“We must not allow the ‘new Israeli order’ to cajole us into sectarianism and separation. We must not give up on the concept of ‘Israeliness’; we should rather open up its gates and expand its language.”