Politisk polarisering – Israel 20 år efter den andra intifadan

Abstract

Political polarization – Israel 20 years after the second intifada

Since the “War on Terror” the world has become increasingly polarized and we have witnessed a democratic backlash. The polarization is not only affecting international relations but also internal politics. A first glance at Israeli politics proposes that the country is deeply – and increasingly – divided. The paper departs from the polarization literature and asks if political polarization has increased and if so in what way. The paper examines three issue areas: the two-state solution, the democratic institutions, and the formation of governments. The findings suggest that Israel is a deeply divided society, but that recent polarization trends in Israeli politics best is described as a pro- and anti-Benjamin Netanyahu split. Instead, the Israeli political landscape consists of a growing political middle lane and an increasingly right-wing electorate. In addition, Israeli Palestinians, as well as ultraorthodox Jews, have a new role to play in future Israeli politics.