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The disengagement from the Gaza Strip and parts of Northern Samaria in 2005 affected the religious Zionist public more than other sectors of Israeli society because most of the settlers are religious Zionists. Yair Sheleg examines the changes among religious Zionists during the decade since the disengagement. He discusses the question whether such changes were the direct results of the disengagement or could be attributed to general trends in Israeli society. The article focuses upon five major attitudes of the religious Zionists that underwent changes, as follows: the attitude toward the state; toward the authorities; toward religious faith; toward political opponents and toward the Arabs. Sheleg notes a more critical attitude toward the state, a distancing from formerly esteemed rabbis and political figures, a tendency toward spirituality and less institutionalized faith, harsher language against the Left and an increase in attacks against Arabs. Despite the above, loyalty to the State of Israel remains steadfast, along with a willingness to contribute to society and no major loss of religious faith.
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