c. 1997 Religion News Service

JERUSALEM _ Ultra-Orthodox Israeli Jews _ once regarded as pacifistic opponents of the modern Jewish state _ are today the most hawkishly nationalistic members of Israeli society, according to a recent poll.

The survey by Tel Aviv University’s Steinmetz Center for Peace Research found the ultra-Orthodox to be even more negative about the peace process than mainstream Orthodox Jews _ the so-called”religious Zionists”who often are closely identified with West Bank settlements but who theologically are somewhat more moderate.

The survey of foreign policy views among 500 Israelis was conducted as part of the Steinmetz Center’s”Peace Index,”which measures public support for the peace process. The findings are significant because ultra-Orthodox Israelis are major supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to the survey, just 20.5 percent of ultra-Orthodox Israelis strongly support the Arab-Israeli peace process, compared to 43 percent of the mainstream Orthodox public. About 82 percent of Israelis who define themselves as”traditionally”religious support the peace process, as do 78 percent of Israelis who consider themselves”secular.” About 5 percent of Israelis identify themselves as ultra-Orthodox. Another 21 percent of Israelis are mainstream Orthodox, 31 percent are”traditional”in their religious practice, and about 41 percent are secular.

The ultra-Orthodox, best known for their pious black garb and lifelong involvement in religious study, traditionally held that Jews should shun politics, avoid conflicts with their Arab neighbors and focus on religious matters. They regard the eventual arrival of the Messiah _ not human endeavors such as the creation of the state of Israel _ as the key to restoring the biblical land of Israel to full Jewish control.

Most mainstream Orthodox, on the other hand, generally see the founding of the secular state of Israel as part of God’s plan and, therefore, believe the nation has religious significance.

The deepening involvement of ultra-Orthodox political parties in Israeli government institutions is, in large part, responsible for the change in ultra-Orthodox thinking.”We’re seeing a process of politicization of the ultra-Orthodox,”said Tamar Herman, co-author of the Tel Aviv University study.”The ultra-Orthodox have to take a stand _ and when they vote, it tends to be hawkish.” Herman noted the hawkish viewpoint contradicts much of classic ultra-Orthodox political ideology. But it does dovetail well with traditional Jewish beliefs, including the notion of a”chosen”people who will always remain separate and isolated from the rest of the world, he said.

Herman also said ultra-Orthodox Israelis, who tend to be among Israel’s poorest, may be seeking to sharply delineate themselves from their even poorer Arab neighbors. “It’s a matter of identity politics,”said Herman.”If you have a group with a low social status, then that group will try to distinguish themselves from those who are even lower on the totem poll. Being the head of the `anti-peace’ camp is one of the ways poor Jews _ many of whom are from Middle Eastern backgrounds _ can distinguish themselves from Arabs.” Since most ultra-Orthodox youth do not serve in the army, the price they pay for their hawkish views is minimal, Herman continued.”They don’t have to pay the price for violent conflict,”he said.

Ironically, many ultra-Orthodox leaders remain personally dovish politically.

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, spiritual head of the Sephardi Shas party, and an Egyptian-born Jew, has said Israel’s withdrawal from parts of biblical Israel is permissible to avoid bloodshed.

But as the ultra-Orthodox Shas grassroots has moved increasingly to the right, Shas politicians have adopted more militantly right-wing positions and have cemented their alliance with nationalistic leaders such as Netanyahu.”There is a big discrepancy between the opinions of the leaders and the followers, and the leaders can’t be seen as being too far out ahead of their public,”Herman said.

MJP END FLETCHER