The Ideals and Vision in Former President Reuven Rivlin's "Four Tribes Speech"

This essay deals with the questions: What was the situation President Rivlin envisioned? What was President Rivlin's ideal? Is Israel getting closer to fulfilling that vision?

In 2014, former President Reuven Rivlin was elected President of the State of Israel. Previously, he was chairman of the Knesset and an experienced politician. Since taking office, Rivlin has sought to be a voice of unity and moderation, frequently calling for better integration of Israel's Arab population and denouncing racism and bigotry. He held one of his most historic speeches in 2015 at the Herzliya Conference, when he explained, that the characteristics of Israel's society will undergo a remarkable transformation. 25 years ago, the solid majority of Israel's society subscribed to the Zionist ethos, shared the collective burdens, and actively participated in the labor force. In the future there will no longer be only one "tribe" that constitutes a clear majority in Israeli society, instead there is a process in which the four tribes of modern Israel – secular Jews, religious Zionist Jews, ultra-Orthodox Jews, and Arabs – are growing equally in numbers and are slowly converging to become representative majorities in Israeli society.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• The Four Tribes Speech of Former President Reuven Rivlin
• The “New Israeli Order”
• The Separate Education Systems
• The Opposing Values and the Future of Israel
• Rivlin's Ideal: A Partnership Between the Tribes
• Is Israel Getting Closer to Fulfilling That Vision?
• The Operation “Guardian of the Walls” and the Riots in Mixed Cities as an Example for the Division
• The Composition of the Current Governing Coalition as a Glimmer of Hope

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This article analyzes Former President Reuven Rivlin's “Four Tribes Speech” delivered at the Herzliya Conference in 2015. The speech addresses the demographic changes in Israel, emphasizing the increasing presence of four distinct groups: secular Jews, religious Zionist Jews, ultra-Orthodox Jews, and Arabs. The article examines Rivlin's vision of a future Israeli society characterized by partnership, equality, and shared responsibility.

• The emergence of a “New Israeli Order” with four distinct groups.
• The impact of separate education systems on social cohesion and identity formation.
• The challenges posed by opposing values and the potential for social division.
• Rivlin's vision for a society based on partnership, equality, and shared responsibility.
• The tensions and conflicts arising from the lack of equality and the potential for social unrest.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The Four Tribes Speech of Former President Reuven Rivlin: This chapter introduces the "Four Tribes Speech" and the context in which it was delivered. Rivlin discusses the demographic changes in Israel and the emergence of four distinct groups that are increasingly becoming the dominant forces in Israeli society. He outlines the challenges associated with this demographic shift, particularly the impact of separate education systems on the formation of individual and societal values.
• The “New Israeli Order”: Rivlin details his vision for a "New Israeli Order" where the four tribes co-exist peacefully and collaboratively. He emphasizes the need for partnership, equality, and shared responsibility among the groups. Rivlin highlights the importance of all groups feeling a sense of ownership and responsibility for the future of Israel.
• The Separate Education Systems: This chapter focuses on the role of education in shaping individual identities and societal cohesion. Rivlin argues that the current education system, which is divided along religious and ethnic lines, contributes to social division and prevents the development of shared values and a sense of collective identity. He criticizes the separation of children into different education systems, emphasizing the need for integration and a unified educational system.
• The Opposing Values and the Future of Israel: Rivlin explores the potential for conflict arising from the opposing values held by the different groups within Israeli society. He argues that if these opposing values are not addressed and reconciled, they could lead to social division and fragmentation, potentially undermining the functioning of the Israeli state.
• Rivlin's Ideal: A Partnership Between the Tribes: Rivlin presents his ideal vision for a future Israeli society. He emphasizes the need for partnership between the tribes, where each group maintains its unique identity but also shares responsibility for the future of Israel. This vision involves moving beyond the traditional concepts of majority and minority and fostering a sense of shared citizenship and responsibility.
• Is Israel Getting Closer to Fulfilling That Vision?: This chapter examines the extent to which Israel is moving towards Rivlin's vision. It analyzes the events of the Operation "Guardian of the Walls" in 2021 and the riots in mixed cities, which highlighted the existing social tensions and divisions. The chapter also explores the potential for hope offered by the new governing coalition, which represents a broader spectrum of political and societal groups.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The main keywords of this text include: “Four Tribes,” “New Israeli Order,” “Partnership,” “Equality,” “Shared Responsibility,” “Education,” “Social Cohesion,” “Demographic Changes,” “Operation Guardian of the Walls,” “Mixed Cities,” “Arab-Israeli Relations,” and “Government Coalition.”

Details

• Grade: 1,3
• Author: Anonym (Author)
• Publication Year: 2021
• Pages: 5
• Catalog Number: V1362681
• ISBN (eBook): 9783346888747
• Language: English
• Tags: ideals vision former president reuven rivlin four tribes speech