An Analysis of the Religious Divide and Its Consequences for the Security Strategy of the Israeli Regime

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D in International Relations, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

10.22081/psq.2025.70170.2911

Abstract

Zionism, as the foundational identity of the Israeli regime, has framed its success around the amalgamation of ethnic nationalism, cultural differences, and a singular national identity. In a society like Israel, characterized by a multitude of distinct identities and strong ethnic, racial, religious, and linguistic components, identity-based and social conflicts have found ample ground for emergence. These conflicts and disputes are often shaped through a combined pursuit of identity and security. Among these factors, ideological attachments, shaping beliefs within dogmatic and biased frameworks, have created fertile ground for deep social divides, particularly religious divides, thereby threatening the regime’s security. Drawing on the Copenhagen School and adopting a descriptive-analytical approach, this article seeks to answer the question: What are the consequences of the religious divide for the security strategy of the Israeli regime? According to the findings of our research, the widening of social gaps, particularly religious divides, has led to political fragmentation. Consequently, Israeli society, as a central pillar of the regime’s existence, is facing crises of divergence and identity, severely undermining social cohesion and unity. Meanwhile, the dominance of a rigid and inflexible Zionist outlook, along with the deepening of societal divides, has seriously threatened social identity and security, forming the core of identity crises and insecurity. In response to these crises, according to its security strategy, the regime’s leaders—perceiving their survival and existence to be at risk—have pursued the securitization of these threats. However, with the continuation of this conflictual dynamic, there appears to be little prospect for meaningful transformation within the structure of the Israeli regime.

Keywords

References

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