Ok, I'll try to answer your question below in a nutt shell, although its not that simple and I guess with some web or book reading you'll be able to get the full picture.
Most of the people in Israel are Jews. Most of them are secular, spread accross the entire political wings. Some of the secular are also traditional, but not religious.
About 15% or more of the Jews are religious. Among them, you can find:
1) national religious: Zionists modern religious Jews. Right wing in politics. Believe that Israel belong to Jews and therefore Israel should keep all biblical territories and shouldn't hand any land to Arabs. Serve in the army and are quite liberal in contrast with Ultra Orthodox Jews. Some of them live in settlements in the occupied territories and identify with the most extreme right wing parties in Israel the object to Sharon's plan to retriet from the settlements.
2) Orthodox & Ultra Orthodox Jews: Many forms and streams here as well. Usually were the famous cotumes, either black (including hat) and white shirts, or gray with stripes for the ultra-ultra orthodox. They also differ in origin (Sefaradi vs. Ashkenazy). Some of them are Haredim, of them some are Hassidim, of them the Habad believe in being happy, dance & sing. Some of those ultra orthodox are anti-zionist. They believe that Jews should stay in diaspora until the 3rd temple is restored in Jerusalem. Therefore, the see the Jews in Israel as sinners, and support the Palestinians.
Ok, this is getting complicated. I'll stop here and encourage you to read further on alone :-)
Danny
juy
11-Dec-2004 17:50
Could you please offer a brief explain of what distinguishes a national religious jew from a non .... from a ultra orthodox jew from a non .. etc.
This would be beneficial as otherwise the terms are not understood to christian westerner-( Canadian). thanks.
