By: Mahmud ‘Abdo Salem.
(Exclusively for al-Zaytouna Centre).
Have you heard of the new religious movements that have emerged in Israel, such as Theosophy, Anthroposophy, the Emin Society, the Church of Scientology in Israel, and contemporary Pagan movements, and their impact on the country’s religious landscape?
A new academic paper examines the rise of these movements as an important development in Israel’s religious and social life since the 1960s. It argues that they have contributed to a more diverse and complex religious environment. The study highlights significant differences among these movements in terms of their nature, legal status, social acceptance, relationship with mainstream religious culture, and their level of acceptance within the Israeli public. It also explores their differing attitudes toward Arabs and Palestinians.
The paper, New Religious Movements in Israel, was published in Arabic by Al-Zaytouna Centre for Studies and Consultations, and authored by Mahmud ‘Abdo Salem.
‘Abdo Salem examines New Religious Movements (NRMs), focusing on their conceptual basis, historical emergence, and key manifestations within the Jewish community in Palestine. The term, which dates to the 1950s, refers to organizations and groups that provide spiritual or philosophical guidance outside established religious traditions.
The paper argues that this phenomenon was transmitted from Western contexts to the Jewish community in Palestine. However, it remains underexplored in Arabic scholarship and has not been sufficiently analyzed in terms of its concept, context, dimensions and main expressions.
The author examines new religious movements and their emergence in Israel, highlighting key examples such as Theosophy, Anthroposophy, the Emin Movement, the Scientology Center in Israel and neo-paganism.
It argues that the Zionist state has not been immune to these movements, which began in the late nineteenth century and expanded throughout the twentieth. It further notes that some of these movements conflict with the Zionist state’s self-definition as a “state for the Jews,” where nationalism and Judaism are closely intertwined, while others seek accommodation with Jewish culture and integration into the broader Zionist mainstream.
The paper notes that these movements seek to adapt and coexist within Israeli society, gain social and legal recognition, avoid confrontation with the dominant Orthodox establishment, and navigate legal, social and media pressures, including delegitimization campaigns.
Regarding their attitudes toward Arabs and Palestinians, the study highlights significant variation. Some emphasize loyalty to the Zionist state through participation in Israeli military activities against Arabs and Palestinians, as well as involvement in settlement activity in Palestine. Others promote a discourse of “humanity,” “tolerance” and “pluralism,” with some seeking to incorporate Arabs and non-Jews within their frameworks.
| Click here to download: >> Academic Paper: New Religious Movements in Israel … Mahmud ‘Abdo Salem (Arabic)  (33 pages, 1.9 MB) |
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