Publication

In recent years, the internal conflict in Israel has not only been between Israelis and Israeli Arabs, but also between Mizrahim and Ashkenazim (i.e., “oriental” Jews and Jews of European origin). Where the latter were once ascendant, observes this commentary, it’s the Mizrahim who now exercise political and cultural leadership of the country. So much so, in fact, that they are creating doubts about Israel’s “Western” identity. How this trend will affect the country’s foreign policy, however, remains an open question, at least for now.