The Two States of Israel
![](https://images.forwardcdn.com/image/970x/center/images/cropped/realist-smaller-110510-1425714900.jpg)
Click for larger image Image by Asaf Hanuka
When people in Israel talk about living in two states it has nothing to do with the much-proposed ?two states solution.? There is a much deeper, darker conflict within the Israeli society than the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: the split between the orthodox and ultra-orthodox on one hand, and everybody else on the other.
Each group seems to have all the reasons in the world to despise the other and fear its values and beliefs. But where am I in this mess? I?m not religious, yet I usually make kiddush on Friday with my family. I put a yarmulke while visiting the local synagogue with my dad but I don?t wear one every day. So what does that make me?
I?m just a guy who went out to get milk.
Read more of Asaf Hanuka?s work on his website
A message from our editor-in-chief Jodi Rudoren
![](https://forward.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Jodi-Headshot.jpg)
We're building on 127 years of independent journalism to help you develop deeper connections to what it means to be Jewish today.
With so much at stake for the Jewish people right now — war, rising antisemitism, a high-stakes U.S. presidential election — American Jews depend on the Forward's perspective, integrity and courage.
— Jodi Rudoren, Editor-in-Chief