Politics of geographic exclusion: deinstitutionalization, hegemony and persons with intellectual disability in Israel

Abstract

Deinstitutionalization is a core policy for the development of services for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in western countries. Nonetheless, although a western country, deinstitutionalization is not well advanced in Israel. In order to shed light on this phenomenon, we explore the hegemony of ID as reflected in Israeli legislation. The analysis shows a biomedical hegemony; ID is depicted as a form of medical and social deviance. Israel’s legislation reflects paternalistic views of persons with ID, who are largely seen as vulnerable objects of pity, to be cared for and protected.

Keywords:

• Deinstitutionalization
• intellectual disability
• hegemony
• Israel

Notes

1. The Ministry has been renamed, and is currently referred to as the Ministry of Welfare and Social Services.

2. Because the laws date from the 1960s, they contain language and terminology that were acceptable at the time but are now considered disrespectful and offensive. We refer to this language and terminology only in literal translations from the legislation which are important for our analysis.

3. National Association for the Habilitation of Children and Adults with Intellectual Disabilities.

4. This is a literal translation of the Hebrew word nizkak. At times, this word is used in policy instead of the term ‘at risk.’

5. See http://bizchut.org.il/en/ accessed June 27, 2017.