Marginal Groups in Israel: Seen but Not All Heard

Abstract

Marginal groups are made up of individuals who are excluded, discriminated, stigmatized and relegated to the fringes of the social and political scene. The article deals with four such groups: Ethiopian Jews, the LGBT community, the disabled and the homeless. Two research questions guide my study: To what extent are these groups afforded parliamentary attention; and what factors generate differential attention. The three factors I consider in this regard are: resources available for mobilization; political opportunities in terms of parliamentary representation; and framing, vis-à-vis proximity to core values. The disabled attract the greatest amount of legislative attention, owing to the multiple resources at their disposal, Knesset representation and framing structured to be congruent with universal justice and contribution to national security. Next in line is the Ethiopian community which has Knesset representation but lacks organizational resources. They attract attention due to their high rank on the scale of national values – ingathering the exiles. The LGBT group possesses abundant resources, has secured some representation, but their framing is challenged by core values imbued with religious-national themes. The homeless attract hardly any attention due to a lack of the three factors. A combination of all three seems necessary to attracts the attention of the Knesset.