Article Reflection No. 36 (1/7/2023)

Article:

Netanyahu’s Government Takes a Turn Toward Theocracy

Reflection (Includes Summary):

(In the following paragraph, each sentence is a summary of a paragraph from the article. Because of the article’s length, I did the summarizing in my head. But I really should practice writing it all out, too, because I need to be able to quickly paraphrase and write with smooth flow!)

In Israel’s coalition government around ⅕ of the members are part of political parties based on religion, according to journalist Bernard Avishai's article "Netanyahu's Government Takes a Turn Toward Theocracy". The government includes a Zionist alliance, which many officials participate in. The definition of “conservative” does not pertain to much of the Israeli government because religion is highly prioritized among the people compared to following democratic systems. The coalition government has displayed its prioritization of Zionism as it has altered the Basic Law, which “[defines] government functions and [guides] the High Court of Justice, Israel’s Supreme Court” (Avishai 3). The Israeli government wants to annex a territory that spans 60% of the West Bank called “Area C” as well as Temple Mount (the latter has been shown when Itamar Ben Gvir made an unannounced trip to the site, which was then met by several condemnations).

There is so much to learn. I have heard of the prime minister’s name, but I did not know about all the complexities and history from this topic. It is interesting how closely politics and relgion are woven together. In this case, it seems more deliberate; in the case of the U.S., the connection seems to be more of side effect.

Vocab

(Note: definitions are from Oxford Languages; definition of “stringency” is from personal knowledge, definition of “sage” is from Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Acolyte - (n.) “a person assisting the celebrant in a religious service or procession.” 2) “an assistant or follower.”

De-facto - (adv.) “in fact, or in effect, whether by right or not.”

Settler - (n.) “a person who moves with a group of others to live in a new country or area.”

Nullify- “make legally null and void; invalidate.” 2) “make of no use or value; cancel out”

Encroach - (v.) “intrude on (a person's territory or a thing considered to be a right).”

Bigot - (n.) “a person who is obstinately or unreasonably attached to a belief, opinion, or faction, especially one who is prejudiced against or antagonistic toward a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular group.”

Illiberal- (adj.) “opposed to liberal principles; restricting freedom of thought or behavior.”

2) [ARCHAIC] “uncultured or unrefined”

Anachronism - (n.) quality of being out of place (in time)

Stringency- (n.) strictness

“Preëmpt”- to forestall

Judiciary - “the judicial authorities of a country; judges collectively.”

Turpitude - “depravity; wickedness.”

Paramilitary - “(of an unofficial force) organized similarly to a military force.”

Sage - (adj.) “proceeding from or characterized by wisdom, prudence, and good judgment” 2) [ARCHAIC] “grave, solemn”

(The Associated Press)