MONGABAY.COM
Mongabay.com seeks to raise interest in and appreciation of wild lands and wildlife, while examining the impact of emerging trends in climate, technology, economics, and finance on conservation and development (more)
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
|
|
Israel
Index
The social structure of contemporary Israel has been shaped by
a variety of forces and circumstances. Israel inherited some
institutions and customs from the Ottomans and some from the
British mandatory rule over Palestine. Zionists who strove to build
the Yishuv under Ottoman and British rule
(see Origins of Zionism
, ch. 1) also wielded influence. Immigration patterns have altered
the social structure radically at different times. From 1882 to
1948, Israel received many immigrants from Eastern Europe and
Central Europe. Following independence, huge numbers of Middle
Eastern, North African, and Asian Jews came to the new state and
altered its dominant Ashkenazi cast. Another shaping force was the
presence of non-Jews in the Jewish state--a growing Arab minority
within the pre-1967 borders of Israel and an absolute majority in
the territories held under military occupation since the June 1967
War. Finally, among the most important forces shaping contemporary
Israeli society is religion.
Data as of December 1988
|
|
