Modern Political History of Israel and Iran - 1435 Words

Since World War II, religion has played a significant role in the modern political history of Israel and Iran. Both countries are self-defined theological states (Israel as a Jewish state, Iran as an Islamic state). Although the impact of religion changes across time and context, religion has largely defined political identity for both Israel and Iran. Yet, modern states are host to many paradoxes. Religion is important in defining these states, however the workings of each country are not always religious in practice. The State of Israel was founded in 1948 as a Jewish state. At the time of Israel’s founding, Jews made up only 32% of Palestine (Yiftachel, 58). In order to accomplish the goal of creating a Jewish state, it was imperative†¦show more content†¦The issues of marriage and military service exemplify how religion has and continues to affect Israeli political history. Yet like many modern states Israel exhibits many paradoxes. By definition Israel has succee ded in establishing itself as a Jewish state. Judaism has also permeated throughout aspects of culture and politics. However in practice, a large percentage of Israeli citizens are not religiously observant. According to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, in 2009, 42% of Jewish Israelis identified as secular. That is in comparison to 8% ultra-Orthodox, 12% religious and 13% religiously observant (Shtull-Trauring, 2010). While a significant portion of Israeli citizens view Judaism as being important to their lives, the 42% of Israelis that identified as being secular indicates that although in definition Israel is a Jewish state, in practice religion is not important for many Israelis. The other self-defined theological Middle-Eastern state is the Islamic Republic of Iran. Since 1979, religion has played a major role in Iranian political history. When the revolution succeeded in 1979, despite it being a combined effort between religious and secular democratic factions, it was widely recognized that Shia Islam had been necessary to the success of the revolution (Majd, 6). As Majd says, â€Å"When†¦countless Iranians†¦voted in the yes-or-no ballot following the Shah’s downfall, we overwhelmingly chose an Islamic Republic. IslamShow MoreRelatedReligion And Politics : The Middle East Essay1007 Words   |  5 Pagespolitics, in part because political struggles have for centuries been understood as religious conflicts and in part because of the intimate ties of the three Abrahamic faiths in the region. The middle east is the birthplace of the world’s three Abrahamic religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The fact that religion and politics have a long history in the Middle East does not mean that religion is always, or even most of the time, a crucial factor driving political conflicts. 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