Gender and Sexual Politics in Light of Rising Religious Fundamentalism and Illiberalism in Contemporary Israel: Theological, Legal and Sociological Perspectives

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Abstract

Contemporary Israeli society is rocked by illiberal, conservative, and religious fundamentalist trends, which merge recent innovations with historical legacies. This roundtable delves into this complex terrain, focusing on how it influences gender and sexuality, and their entanglement with nationalism and religion. We argue such cultural and political forces are reshaping the Jewish-Israeli landscape, and perhaps the trajectory of Judaism itself.

Central to our discussion is the global emergence of "anti-gender ideologies," which garnered momentum around the world amid a surge of illiberal populist movements and regimes. The Jewish-Israeli context underscores the multifaceted challenges facing proponents of gender equality and sexual rights, and how these are influenced by both national and transnational forces.

Bringing together interdisciplinary perspectives, this roundtable unpacks the theological, legal, and sociological dimensions of these dynamics in Israel. We illuminate the interplay between religious ideologies and sociopolitical dynamics, between norms and narratives, and between “progressive” feminist and queer agendas and the “conservative” backlash against them. We offer a critical view of the various pathways through which social change unfolds and gets stymied within this contentious context.

Questions for discussion:
1. How do theological doctrines, religious discourses and rabbinic interpretations influence the matrix of nationalism and gender politics within Israeli society? What are the theological underpinnings and ideological foundations of current gendered discourses and norms?
2. How do feminists’ and queer activists’ claims interact with the norms and narratives articulated by illiberal religious forces?
3. What tensions arise at the intersection of religious laws, state legislation, civil liberties and human rights frameworks regarding these issues, and what are the major sites of contention and transformation?
4. How do religious and state institutions and authorities shape the lived experiences of individuals and communities in relation to the politics of gender and sexuality? What pathways exist for promoting inclusivity and gender equality amidst the current challenges posed by illiberal cultural and political forces?
5. How are the agendas and strategies of Jewish authorities shaped by collaborations with conservative religious nationalist movements in the US and elsewhere? How can this case study inform our understanding of the intersection between gender, sexuality, religion, and illiberalism in other contexts?

Sub Unit

• Gender & Sexuality Studies

Cosponsor

• Israel Studies

Moderator

• Tanya Zion-Waldoks, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Discussants

• Ronit Irshai, Bar-Ilan University

• Michal Frenkel, The Hebrew University

• Hanoch Ben-Pazi, Bar-Ilan University

• Orit Avishai, Fordham University

• Lisa Fishbayn Joffe, Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, Brandeis University

Zoom Host

• Zoom Host 09