Professor Michel Gherman, coordinator of the Center for Jewish Studies at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), recently returned from Israel with a worrying analysis of the current state of Israeli society.
According to him, the country is facing a period of intense “social unraveling”, marked by deep divisions and widespread pessimism.
According to Gherman, Israeli society is extremely divided, with a prevailing feeling that the situation is likely to get worse.
“You don’t have a perspective of optimism in the air”, says the professor. He highlights that the phenomenon goes beyond mere polarization, describing it as a “consolidation of opposites in a very defined way”.
The hostage issue and the impact of October 7th
One of the central points of the current crisis, according to the expert, is the issue of hostages still held by Hamas. The perception that there are not enough efforts to return these people has fueled popular dissatisfaction.
Gherman notes that the October 7, 2023 attack remains an open wound in Israeli society: “We wake up thinking about what happened at that moment.”
Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which was already facing unpopularity due to a controversial judicial reform, is now dealing with criticism related to its management of the conflict with Hamas and its inability to bring back the hostages.
“What changed were the reasons for unpopularity, but the situation is one of social breakdown”, explains Gherman.
Economic crisis and future uncertainties
In addition to political and social tensions, Israel faces a serious economic crisis. The professor points to the drop in international credit and an “unprecedented situation of impossibility of perceiving the future”.
This unstable economic scenario contributes to the climate of uncertainty and pessimism that permeates Israeli society.
Gherman’s analysis reveals an Israel deeply affected by multiple simultaneous crises: the ongoing conflict with Hamas, internal divisions, political instability and economic challenges.
The picture painted by the professor suggests that the country is facing one of the most challenging moments in its recent history, with significant implications for the future of the region.
This content was originally published in Teacher to CNN: Feelings in Israeli society are of social breakdown on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
