Adam Freira: Rational Ignorance – When Racism Is a Business Model, Democracy Pays

Attorney Adam Freira argues in an opinion piece that political racism has become a business model based on the public's rational ignorance. According to him, politicians profit from fear and hatred, and the exclusion of Arabs and Haredim is a central tool. The article cites examples of Arab citizens who showed heroism on October 7 but still suffer from discrimination, and calls for a defensive democracy.

Attorney Adam Freira argues in an opinion piece that political racism in Israel has become a business model based on the public's rational ignorance. According to him, politicians profit from fear and hatred, and the exclusion of Arabs and Haredim has become a central tool in the political system. The article cites examples of Arab citizens who showed heroism on October 7 – Yosef Alziadna who rescued young people from the Nova festival, Amer Abu Sabila who was murdered in Sderot, and Samer Talalka who escaped from Hamas captivity – but still suffer from discrimination. Freira compares the situation to a "hatred exchange" where no talent is needed, only the echoing of slogans against Arabs. He calls for a defensive democracy against those who seek to undermine its foundations, and notes the partnership between Mansour Abbas and Yoav Segalovich as an example of hope for coexistence.