The Haredim's growing influence on Israeli politics and culture

¶ … Hostile Takeover of Zionism" by Patrick Martin, discusses the ultra-conservative factor of the Haredim Jews, who are becoming increasingly dominant in Israel's politics and culture, which many people fear. The author compares the strict rules of the Haredim to "Islamic fundamentalists," and many of their practices, such as keeping women separate from men, do seem extremely severe and controversial. The article discusses several aspects of Judaism, from the conservative leadership, their violence, and their separation of the genders.

The perspective of the writer seems to be one of some disdain or criticism of the ultra-conservative practices. People call them Jewish fundamentalists, and compare them to radial Islamic fundamentalists. I agree with this perspective, because to radical or conservative, no matter what the religion can be a dangerous thing and this article shows that. I did not know that there were so many ultra-conservative Jews in Israel, they were so demanding, and that they are threatening to take over the government. They actually seem quite comparable to the Taliban in Afghanistan, and that is frightening for a number of reasons. First, both groups subjugate women, they are violent, and they are unyielding in their beliefs. The Taliban is extremely violent, and helped prepare and hide Al Qaeda in their terrorist attacks, so this Jewish group could eventually lead to world violence, too and the world does not need any more religious hatred.