Can Religious Pluralism Influence Governance and Societal Cohesion?

This analysis uncovers the complex interplay of religion,politics,and society in Israel,revealing the intricate dynamics of secular and religious ideologies.The study explores the deep ideological rift between secular and religious communities,a divide that profoundly impacts political stability and policymaking.This division often leads to political crises and reshuffling,with the political system characterized by unstable coalition governments.The research is grounded in the divisions over the state’s spiritual ideology,with significant Orthodox influence shaping policy on education,family law,and cultural affairs.The research shows the profound influence of religious parties on Israeli politics,significantly shaping the country’s policies and ideological direction.Influenced by external factors such as security threats and diplomatic challenges,the dynamic interaction between politics and religion shapes Israeli politics since religious parties advocate for policies that align with their interpretation of Jewish religious law,thereby impacting the role of religion in public policy.The influence of religious politics has led to a discernible shift toward greater religious orthodoxy in public life,driven by the political power of religious parties that prioritize religious values above secular democratic principles.The state’s endorsement of religious education and institutions shapes public policy and societal norms.The analysis examines the influence of religious values in public policy and the dynamic interaction between religious and political spheres,aimed to ensure that religion remains dominant in shaping societal norms and governance.This complex relationship demonstrates the ongoing challenges in balancing religious orthodoxy with secular principles,which poses difficulties and has implications for the stability and cohesion of Israeli society.The urgency and complexity of this task cannot be overstated,as it is crucial for the future of Israeli politics and religious dynamics.

Innovation in the Public Sector in the Start-up Nation:Challenges of Technology,Bureaucracy,and Digital Divide

Innovation provides opportunities to all countries,as advancement in technology and globalization of economic markets encourage global competition and increase the role of governments in gaining a strategic competitive advantage while boosting economic growth and productivity.According to the OECD,innovation can make a difference in addressing developmental challenges and providing catalyst for countries to accelerate business processes and practices that improve public service efficiency.The public sector plays a significant role in modern economies and innovation is a necessary condition for improving government services to the public and creating a competitive economy.Israel is known as the“start-up nation”,but innovation policies and strategies relating to the public sector are less developed than those of business innovation due to lack of innovation culture,digital divide,and bureaucracy.The research examines innovation in the public sector in Israel compared to other OECD countries.It is argued that despite the enormous influence of high-tech and start-ups on the economy and gross of national product,the flourishing technology sector has not contributed to other sectors of the economy and the performance of the public service lags behind the private sector in terms of innovation and efficiency.The research concludes that implementing Israel’s success in business innovation into the public sector requires long-run strategic investments and public policies to increase the supply and quality of human capital and infrastructure.The goal should be to narrow digital divide with other developed countries and advance the technological capabilities and productivity of the public service.

Supremacy of Social Media in the Hebron Shooting Incident

The controversy in the case of Elor Azaria,an Israeli soldier who shot a Palestinian assailant in the Palestinian city of Hebron,after he was wounded and neutralized,led to a highly emotional public debate threatening a major crisis in the government and society.The incident divided the Israeli public and its leaders,with some expressing outrage over the killing of an incapacitated man,and others supporting even the most extreme response to a stabbing attack.The research argues that the role of governments in preventing exposure of security information was badly shaken following the inability to control information,as the incident was recorded on a mobile phone and uploaded to social media.As demonstrated in this case,local organizations have assumed a new prominence by providing information that previously had been limited by local authorities.The research is looking at the question of who was superior in the Hebron shooting incident:the army,the government,public opinion,traditional media or social media.The conclusions in this case are clear-cut:Social media dominated the entire process and determined its outcome,which was obvious once the video was uploaded on the Internet.

How Netanyahu＇s New Media Policy is Influencing Israeli,American and Global Politics

This paper analyzes how the Prime Minister of Israel, Binyamin Netanyalau, uses Israel＇s technological superiorityand innovative use of digital diplomacy to maintain a leading role in social media and an active and on-goingimpact on American politics. His global policy approach is based on the realization that we live in a world oftechnology, and since technology improves at a rapid rate, Israel should stand in the front of global change. Hispolitical and social media reign is unquestionable. He was elected the 10th most admired person in the United States,according to the ＂World＇s Most Admired 2016＂ YouGov poll that gauged the popularity of famous people in 30different countries. His personal Facebook page reached two million followers worldwide, more than half of themfrom the United States. As the research demonstrates, his popularity is the result of the ability to mobilize politicalskills with an effective media campaign. He derives his power directly from the public and engages that public indirect dialogue, bypassing the traditional media. This demonstrates a calculated and savvy use of new mediaplatforms, as his accounts are able to motivate high rates of interaction and interest among followers and others whocan view the posts.

Is There Free Speech or “Fake Free Speech” in Israel?

The impact of technology on Israel changed the perception of free speech and forced changes in policy and approach for the government and the media. For decades, in the era of traditional media, Israel allowed free speech in all areas, but security issues. Society has traditionally seen national security as more important than the need of the public to be exposed to sensitive information. According to this policy, it was commonly agreed that the press should work along the lines of social responsibility, and although Israel is a democratic state where freedom of speech and freedom of the press are cornerstones of its existence—in all that relates to security, things should be different. This has changed, since technology is shaping the political discourse, and Israel, as a high-tech nation, has been in the front of global changes. New policy has been adopted not by the will of the media or the government but through the supremacy of new technology. Despite this, there still exist legal limitations on free speech and the Israeli society requires social responsibility of the media. The paper examines the restrictions imposed on free speech and the social responsibility policy adopted by the media in relations to security. This examination brings up the question: Is there free speech in Israel or is free speech still dominated and directed by the government, creating a situation of “fake free speech”?