From the editorial board.

• Position: Brief Article - Editorial

Over the last two decades, Israeli society has been undergoing a process marked by increasing inequality. The notions of equality of opportunity and social justice, once cornerstones of social thought and policy in Israel, are being jettisoned. Wage scales now resemble those in many Third World societies. Contrary to expectation and popular myth, second and third generation Mizrahim -- Jews of Middle Eastern origin -- lag further behind their Ashkenazi -- Jews of European or American origin -- cohorts in educational achievements, employment opportunities and housing than the first generation.

Women earn less, compared to men, than they did a decade ago, and their political representation is declining. Palestinian citizens of Israel are employed mainly in blue collar jobs, regardless of their educational achievements. Palestinians from the occupied territories receive the lowest remuneration, and they are not protected by Israeli labor unions. The editors of...