Identifying barriers to democratic rights in ultra-Orthodox society

The Haredi in Israel live in autonomous enclaves – especially in the areas of education, economy and community. Due to historical circumstances and political compromises, the state finds it difficult to act directly with the Haredi individual – and is dependent on the “Haredi establishment” that mediates the entire sector for it. Thus, the Haredi enclave is maintained and driven by small groups that benefit from resources, political power, control over institutions and direct access to state budgets. The “small” Haredi citizen does not necessarily enjoy his rights as a citizen in a democratic state.

The laboratory seeks to formulate and lead a paradigm shift in the study of Haredi society from a political science perspective. From research focusing on "multiculturalism" and "cultural adaptations," it is proposed to move to research focusing on the analysis of economics, political community structures, power concentrations, control mechanisms, and the place of the Haredi elite as an exploitative mediation mechanism that operates in the name of that "cultural adaptation" and prevents Haredi citizens from direct access to state services and their democratic rights.