Remember to be Jewish: Religious Populism in Israel

זהות יהודית-ישראלית חברה ישראלית חילוניות יחסי דת ומדינה מסורת פוליטיקה פלורליזם

This article explores the evolving relationship between Jewish identity, religion, and populism in contemporary Israel. The authors argue that while Jewishness has always been a marker of national belonging, the last two decades have seen its transformation into a tool for populist politics.The study identifies two main forms of religious populism: Inclusionary Populism, exemplified by the Shas party, which uses religious and ethnic identity to mobilize marginalized groups; and Exclusionary Populism, seen in the "National Camp," which uses Jewishness to distinguish between "authentic" Jews and "cosmopolitan elites" or "enemies of the state". The authors conclude that religious populism in Israel reshapes the boundaries of citizenship, moving away from a liberal-democratic definition toward one based on religious-nationalist loyalty.