ABSTRACT
This chapter describes and analyzes the impact of educational policy on two major issues that are most prominent on Israel’s socio-cultural and educational agenda, their recent developments and current status, namely: religio-national identity and ethno-cultural integration. The large waves of immigration brought about an incisive change to the fabric of Israeli society, namely its ethnic or geocultural composition. The commitment of the Israeli society to ‘bridging’, ‘narrowing’ and even ‘closing’ the ethnic socio-economic gap is expressed in the platforms of all political parties and by the Government. The Government will work systematically for merging of all communities, veterans and newcomers. All communities will be assured of equal opportunities for full integration in Israel’s economy and society, in education, culture and social life, and steps will be taken to remove economic gaps between communities. Education was conceived as main tool for the social, cultural and political integration and for the forging of a unified society out of the diversified ethnic groups.
