Israel is an island of democracy and secular Western values in a sea of theocracies and dictatorships. I find it incredibly disappointing when the ultra-Orthodox minority - who exercise disproportionately large political influence in a system that requires coalitions of political parties - behave as bigoted, archaic and insane as their undemocratic neighbors.
One case in point: The story I posted two weeks ago about ultra-Orthodox men relegating women to the back of Israeli buses that travel through their neighborhoods, and insulting and physically threatening women who wear trousers.
Another case in point: An Israeli Knesset member named Nissim Ze'ev has suggested "establishing 'rehabilitation centers' to suppress the sexual tendencies of gay people." Furthermore, according to the article, he has stated that:
"These people are dangerous and we must keep an eye on them."
"Gay people must be made aware of how 'their lifestyle is destroying our existence.'"
Ze'ev, along with fellow Knesset member Eli Gabbay, would also like to outlaw gay pride parades in Jerusalem, proposing an amendment that "would enable the Jerusalem Municipal Council to ban gay parades and rallies for considerations of disturbance to public order, offending the public's sensitivities or for religious considerations."
These hateful attitudes and behavior are an embarrassment for civilized people of every nationality, race and creed. The damage that this kind of behavior does to Israel - a tiny country struggling to survive against tremendous hatred and ill will - is immeasurable. The more examples there are of fundamentalist religious bigotry and uncivilized behavior by the ultra-Orthodox in Israel, the harder it is to argue for the moral superiority of their society.
I can only hope that secular and religiously moderate Israelis will remove individuals like Ze'ev and Gabbay from power, and will stand up to the lunatic ultra-Orthodox and say, "No more!"
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