Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Controversy in Israel
During the week before Hamas’ murderous attack on the Gaza border communities on October 7, a major controversy was roiling Israel. It concerned the fear of clashes during the then-upcoming celebrations of Simhat Torah that never took place because the war broke out. About two weeks before that festival, Yom Kippur prayers held in Tel Aviv highlighted the political tension between anti-Netanyahu protesters and supporters of the prime minister. The former had been flooding the streets for months, protesting the government’s attempts to neuter the Supreme Court and to erode the separation of powers. The coalition’s base, meanwhile, supported – and continues to support – the judicial overhaul which, if successful, would hasten the annexation of the occupied territories, perpetuate the exemption of Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men from the draft, and strengthen the grip of religious law on women and LGBTQ people.
Introduction
Israel experienced a major controversy in the week leading up to Hamas’ attack on the Gaza border communities on October 7. This controversy revolved around the fear of clashes during the upcoming celebrations of Simhat Torah, which were ultimately canceled due to the outbreak of war. Prior to this, Yom Kippur prayers held in Tel Aviv highlighted the political tension between anti-Netanyahu protesters and supporters of the prime minister.
The Political Tension
The anti-Netanyahu protesters had been demonstrating against the government’s attempts to weaken the Supreme Court and undermine the separation of powers. These protests had been ongoing for months, with the coalition’s base supporting the judicial overhaul. If successful, this overhaul would expedite the annexation of occupied territories, maintain the exemption of Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men from the draft, and reinforce the influence of religious law on women and LGBTQ individuals.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
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Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content
- Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels
- Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
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Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article
- Indicator 16.7.1: Proportions of positions (by sex, age, persons with disabilities, and population groups) in public institutions (national and local legislatures, public service, and judiciary) compared to national distributions
- Indicator 5.1.1: Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce, and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels | Indicator 16.7.1: Proportions of positions (by sex, age, persons with disabilities, and population groups) in public institutions (national and local legislatures, public service, and judiciary) compared to national distributions |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere | Indicator 5.1.1: Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce, and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex |
Explanation:
The article discusses political tension and controversies in Israel, specifically related to the government’s attempts to neuter the Supreme Court and erode the separation of powers. This highlights the need for responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making, which is addressed by SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Target 16.7 specifically focuses on ensuring such decision-making at all levels.
The article also mentions the grip of religious law on women and LGBTQ people, indicating the presence of discrimination. This connects to SDG 5: Gender Equality. Target 5.1 aims to end all forms of discrimination against women and girls everywhere.
Based on the content of the article, the specific targets identified are Target 16.7 and Target 5.1.
The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but we can infer relevant indicators based on the targets. Indicator 16.7.1 measures the proportions of positions in public institutions compared to national distributions, considering factors such as sex, age, persons with disabilities, and population groups. Indicator 5.1.1 assesses whether legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce, and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex.
Source: haaretz.com
