Social Cleavages and National Security in Israel

Social cleavages differ from one society to another, due to diverse factors, and can have differing effects. Social cleavages in Israel are unique and peculiar to that society, stemming from its particular historical conditions. The very fact that this society has been formed by an immigrant population sets it quite apart from other societies formed by [mostly] indigenous population – which can be called a “natural society.” Moreover, the society has been formed through the rapid immigration in a relatively short period of a large number of Jewish groups from different societies, and not the result of a gradual and long–term process. The present article, drawing upon the theory developed by Regan Chris which takes a maximalist approach to social cleavages, tries to study existing cleavages in the Israeli society and assess their impact on social cohesion and national identity, and finally on Israel's national security.