Lewis Shas : A Model for Resolving Israel ’ s Internal Rift ? Shas : A Model for Resolving Israel ’ s Internal Rift ?

Executive Summary: Amidst the intensified global focus on the ongoing conflict between the Israeli and Palestinian people, internal issues exist within each group. Cleavages exist within Israeli society both on a religious, socioeconomic, and even an ethnic level. These internal rifts play a role in preventing a peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. A case study evaluation of the Israeli political party Shas may help suggest a means to bridging the internal cleavages. In particular, the religious divide within the Israeli Jewish population presents a difficult obstacle in the path to peace with the Palestinians. Shas' unique political structure and stances present an opportunity for analysis and the potential as a model for a political and social structure to begin bridging the societal gaps. Through literary analysis and scholarly interpretation, I discuss Shas' position in the Israeli political landscape and the potential success, though arguably unintended, in bridging the religious cleavage found in Israeli society. The political party's background, leadership, supporters, political stances, and religious foundations and beliefs are unalike any other political group in Israel. My case study examines Shas' uniqueness and analyzes the party's ability to bridge the social cleavages in Israel that affect the nature of Israel's relationship with Palestine. Negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis have occurred off and on throughout the history of the conflict between the two groups. At times agreements have come relatively close, as in the case of the Oslo accords, yet numerous factors play into the reasons why the negotiations fail. A large factor falls on the deep divides in political views between the right and left political groups in Israel, as well as the rifts within contemporary Israeli society. The Israeli settlements in the West Bank are one of the most if not the most controversial topic centered within the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Views differ greatly from the political left to right on how to treat the settlements and ultimately on the future of the settlements. The typically politically right aligned orthodox communities and the traditionally left aligned secular communities over the years have continued to distance themselves from one another as their respective views on the state of Israel too continue to grow apart. Religious beliefs, opinions on the settlements, varying political structure visions, among other factors help to explain this rift between the secular and religious. However, the religious rift is one among other internal cleavages within Israeli society, …