I’d be interested to see a map of what that would look like, since I assume Israel would want to retain Har Hatzofim, Givat Tzarfatit, etc.
Social issues questions:
An Israeli friend informs me that all Israeli schools teach evolution and don’t argue about it. She also tells me that abortion is legal in Israel.
Is this true?
Evolution: You have to understand that Israel has (at least) four different school curricula – National/General; National/Religious; National/Arab; and “Independent”.
I can only vouch for the “National/General” education stream – the answer to your question there is a resounding “yes”. I’m pretty sure (but not certain) that this is true for the other two subdivisions of the National Curriculum; fairly certain that this is not true for the “Independent” (a.k.a. Ultra-Othodox) branch.
At least in the Nat./Gen branch, “Creation” is taught in bible class. Only.
Re: Abortion – Never known anyone who wanted/needed to go through an abortion, so I’m pretty fuzzy on the details. My impression is that it’s pretty close to walking off the street and saying “I don’t want the baby”; but I’m pretty sure that there is some formal “Need To” that has to be established. Usually this is circumvented by establishing a “Need To” abort on basis of possible psychological damage to the mother if she is forced to carry the fetus and have the child… so basicly, yes. But I’m basing my answer on hearsay and what I think I know, so don’t take this all as completely factual.
Dani
I also have no persn esperience in the matter, but from what I understand women who want to have an abortion must appear before a committee from either the Dept. of Health or Dept. of Welfare (not sure which) in order to approve it. However, this is pretty much a rubber stamp, as they automatically approve the procedure if the woman is unmarried, or under 18, or if there is a high chance of birth defects, or if there is a chance the fetus will cause the mother physical * or psychological* damage. If they approve, I think the abortion is also covered by medical insurance.
“Abortion pills” are also available over the counter.
Incidentally, before someone asks about Noone Special’s “Bible class” comment, the Bible (meaning the Tanakh - the “OT”) is taught in secular schools as literature, not as religion. Remember, besides being a religious document, it’s also our National Epic and the most important book in the Hebrew language. Children study it like the Greeks study Homer and the British study Shakespeare.
So would I. The poll question was kept purposely vague.
Pretty much like in the Sates, yes. Certain Ultra-Orthodox communities speak Yiddish in day-to-day life, but outside of that very few people under the age of 70 speak either language.
It’s too bad. I could do without Yiddish, but Ladino is a gorgeous language; my wife’s family speaks it, and it’s a pleasure to listen to.
Been avoiding this one…
I have lots of different, often contradictory opinions on the subject, which can change on a daily basis, but the bottom line is that they’re just details. The conflict will end when the Arab world accepts - really accepts, inwardly as well as outwardly - the fact that we’re here and that we’re not going anywhere. It might take some time, it might take some wars, but that’s the only sure-fire remedy.
It would also help a lot if leaders on both sides of the conflict pulled their heads out of their asses and actually did what was best for their countries every now or then. But that’s a given.