Uri Regev

Democracy in Israel is threatened because the Orthodox Jewish establishment is allowed too much control over governmental, legal, and private affairs, argues Uri Regev in the following viewpoint. Non-Orthodox and secular Israelis are subject to discriminatory Orthodox laws concerning marriage, divorce, adoption, conversion, and Sabbath activities, Regev points out. Israelis must continue to fight for democracy, pluralism, and civil rights to prevent the formation of a theocratic state, he concludes. Regev is the executive director of the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC). As an advocate for the liberal Reform movement in Israel, IRAC promotes religious pluralism and social justice.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How did religion and state become linked in Israel, according to Regev?
2. According to the author, what are the restrictions on marriage in Israel?
3. In what ways...