Published: 6 May, 2008, 05:00
Edited: 6 May, 2008, 05:00
It seems like a contradiction, but an ultra-Orthodox Zionist party on the right-hand side of the Israeli political spectrum is being supported by Israeli Arabs.
Founded in 1984, the party, known as Shas, draws its traditional support from Jews who come from Arab countries. They want a Greater Israel guided by the Bible.
But when you move from the national picture, on the ground these people face the same problems as their Arab neighbours.
Not so long ago, in the Arab village of Kfar Manda in the north of Israel, sewerage flowed in the streets. Electricity was the luxury of only a privileged few.
Today the situation is better.
“The troubles of the poor interest only the poor. Shas understands this. They represent marginal people. As mayor, I choose to serve my people. The choice is not between right-wing and left-wing. The choice is who can serve my people best,” explains the mayor of Kfar Manda, Sela Suliman.
Tunisian-born Jew, Michael Iluz, feels at home in the village. He walks around shaking hands with everyone despite the fact that he wears a Jewish religious skullcap. He’s Shas’ local representative, and many people here support the party.
“I don’t believe there is a great difference between Arabs and Jews. Both of us are human beings. But we Jews who come from North Africa, we have exactly the same traditions as the Arabs. We live with them in Tunis, Morocco and Iraq. In these countries we never felt anti-Semitism like the Jews who came from Europe. And now we support them like they supported us in their countries,” he said.
Mati Cohen, an Israeli political journalist, says the rationales behind the alliance are more pragmatic.
“There’s no friendship. It’s politics. And politics is like business. On national issues, they disagree about everything, but when it comes to municipal issues they understand that they have common problems and together have a stronger voice,” he said.
Shas has twelve seats in parliament and is part of the ruling coalition. Five per cent of its votes come from the Arab minority.