This is far more than a "left/right" issue, although it is understandable that many Americans view the situation through that prism. I have calculated roughly 1/3 of those who oppose these reforms are fully "right-wing", with the rest identifying as centrist and a smaller percentage fully left-wing (the Arab communities who constitute 20…
This is far more than a "left/right" issue, although it is understandable that many Americans view the situation through that prism. I have calculated roughly 1/3 of those who oppose these reforms are fully "right-wing", with the rest identifying as centrist and a smaller percentage fully left-wing (the Arab communities who constitute 20% of the population are definitely between a rock and a hard place and have been wisely staying out of the fray, although it's safe to assume they oppose the reforms since their civil rights would be in jeopardy). There has been no true left-wing in Israel since the Second Intifada traumatized a generation and the "Peace Camp" disintegrated; Noa Tishby discusses this phenomenon at length in her excellent book, which I highly recommend. And yes, today for the first time both she and Miriam Adelson - staunch right-wing supporters - publicly criticized the government and called for compromise.
As you say, using the term Left to be synonymous with the old "Peace Camp" is indeed out of date. On the other hand, Left/Right in Israel does cover alignments of opinion across a wide range of issues, and is reflected in the coalitions that form (or fail to form) after elections. And in Supreme Court decisions. In any case, I agree that the camps formed around this issue have blurred boundaries.
There is a small but growing right-wing protest movement whose members support reforms through dialogue and consensus. They are unhappy with the framing of the issue as a fundamental left vs right clash. One of the organizers insightfully pointed out this schism can be traced partly to years of incitement from Netanyahu referring to any opponents as leftists and traitors. I can tell you from personal experience that "smolanit" (or leftist) is a preferred insult amongst the younger demographic. Unfortunately it is a universal human tendency to gravitate towards charismatic populist demagogues rather than the quieter, more thoughtful and collaborative, less bombastic leaders.
This is far more than a "left/right" issue, although it is understandable that many Americans view the situation through that prism. I have calculated roughly 1/3 of those who oppose these reforms are fully "right-wing", with the rest identifying as centrist and a smaller percentage fully left-wing (the Arab communities who constitute 20% of the population are definitely between a rock and a hard place and have been wisely staying out of the fray, although it's safe to assume they oppose the reforms since their civil rights would be in jeopardy). There has been no true left-wing in Israel since the Second Intifada traumatized a generation and the "Peace Camp" disintegrated; Noa Tishby discusses this phenomenon at length in her excellent book, which I highly recommend. And yes, today for the first time both she and Miriam Adelson - staunch right-wing supporters - publicly criticized the government and called for compromise.
As you say, using the term Left to be synonymous with the old "Peace Camp" is indeed out of date. On the other hand, Left/Right in Israel does cover alignments of opinion across a wide range of issues, and is reflected in the coalitions that form (or fail to form) after elections. And in Supreme Court decisions. In any case, I agree that the camps formed around this issue have blurred boundaries.
There is a small but growing right-wing protest movement whose members support reforms through dialogue and consensus. They are unhappy with the framing of the issue as a fundamental left vs right clash. One of the organizers insightfully pointed out this schism can be traced partly to years of incitement from Netanyahu referring to any opponents as leftists and traitors. I can tell you from personal experience that "smolanit" (or leftist) is a preferred insult amongst the younger demographic. Unfortunately it is a universal human tendency to gravitate towards charismatic populist demagogues rather than the quieter, more thoughtful and collaborative, less bombastic leaders.