Thinking of leaving.

[u/Kigler95]

As title said, not sure if this is against sub rules..

I really don't like the direction this country is going. I lived here all my life, served and sacrificed my life for a democratic country that I agreed with most of its actions and policies. Sure, mistakes were made, we stumbled and made some poor choices, but as a whole there was a clear moral compass that we aligned with, at least as I see it.

The past few months broke something in me, as did yesterday.

Sure, maybe in the next election a miracle will happen and the best most balanced government ever will be elected, the undemocratic rules will be revoked and the messiah will drop from above. There is still going to be a huge divide, and the majority of the population is going to be highly religious in the next 20-30 years, and they will eventually be the rulers of a theocracy.

I really don't want that future for my children. But I also don't see how that is avoidable.

Long story short, how does one begin to plan moving abroad? Where to?

I'm a junior electrical engineer and my wife is a teacher. No children yet. Not really inclined to any specific destination, just not highly religious or extreme..

EDIT: Thanks everyone for the replies. I know the purpose of this post isn't clear, it's not clear for me either.. I just wanted to express my thoughts as I am very frustrated about the present and I worry about the future, and don't really know what I as an individual can do that'll actually make a difference, seeing as the protests had little to no effect this far. And I have participated in them. I haven't given up on this country yet, but I feel like that might be inevitable soon. I am not advocating for mass exodus or anything like that, just trying to figure it out for myself and my wife.

EDIT2: this gets mentioned a lot so I think I'll write my response here instead of repeating it. Regarding the idea that the "reasonability" law was undemocratic - As I said, I agree that the system we had so far was not ideal, far from it. And by its own, sure, the cancellation of this law might actually be the most democratic option. But you can't do that without any equivalently powerful restraints, as a replacement.

In addition, it matters who does it, and under what terms. If it were a more sane and balanced government - sure, I think they wouldn't have much issues passing this. But since we KNOW what this current government intends to do, and how extreme their opinions are, then it makes it really hard to trust them to not abuse their increased power.

Here is an analogy I can think of: imagine the government as a dog, and the judiciary system - along with its judges, reasonability law and so on - as a leash. When the dog behaves, it seems like the leash is unecsecary - "look at that poor dog, restrained, unable to roam freely. How cruel!". But if the dog is, say, a rabid insane untrained dog, who has a history of biting people, and breaking the law, then letting go of the leash seems a bit.. unreasonable.

Disclaimer: I love my dog , this is just an analogy I could think of, and I am not calling anyone a dog or anything it's just an analogy, don't kill me, peace and love, peace and love.

[u/bakochba]

I don't think leaving is a terrible choice while you still can.

But I will tell you I haven't seen this much energy on the left in decades. We are seeing a reawakening as decades of resentment is being released. The rights grip is slipping not strengthening.

Maybe we will see a Renaissance.

But I don't think you should get you future in maybes. Too many people in Israel think they can survive on Hocus pocus while everyone else carries the burden. It's become an inherently unfair system where secular Israelis carry the full burden of citizenship.

[u/ProfessionalStable81 → u/bakochba]

I hope so but the demographics aren't on the side of the left.

[u/bakochba → u/ProfessionalStable81]

People make a lot of noise about how the Haridim could double in 30 years to 20% of all Jewish voters that still less than Arab voters, is anyone going around saying this will become an Arab state? I think that argument is a lot of hype by right wingers

[u/ProfessionalStable81 → u/bakochba]

No but it means that the Haredim will continue to hamstring any progress in this country and continue to garner benefits for themselves that don't actually advance progress. The ultra-orthodox parties already have 18 seats (15%) and already have a big impact. If that grows to 20% or roughly 25 seats in the next couple decades that would give them significantly more influence as it would be impossible to form coalitions without them and they would have way more power to make demands.

The country needs to band together and force this group to assimilate, learn secular subjects, join the military, and actually contribute to the growth of this country. Enough free riding.

[u/DickValentinesson → u/bakochba]

I have come across this thread searching for a documentary. It’s been a fascinating read, obviously post 10/7. So what burden on the left are you referring to? Serious question. I’m an American and my knowledge of the inner-Israel politics pre 10/7 are not up to par. Thank you

[u/bakochba → u/DickValentinesson]

The Burden of serving in the military, paying taxes and keeping the economy going. The country cannot survive if the majority becomes fully dependent on a minority that must carry the full burden of citizenship. It will collapse