The recent political turmoil in Israel has exposed the fragility of its democracy and the deep divisions within its society. The long reign of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges and a possible jail sentence, has been challenged by a diverse coalition of parties that span the ideological spectrum, from the far-right to the Arab-led Joint List.
The coalition, led by former Netanyahu ally Naftali Bennett, has agreed to form a government that would end Netanyahu’s 12-year rule and usher in a new era of Israeli politics.
But what would this mean for Israel’s democracy and its future? How would the new government deal with the pressing issues of security, peace, economy, and social justice? And how would it cope with the internal and external pressures that threaten to tear it apart?
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One thing is clear: when Netanyahu falls, Israel’s democracy will need new political realignments. The current coalition is unlikely to last long, as it is held together by a common desire to oust Netanyahu rather than a shared vision for the country.
The coalition partners have different and often contradictory agendas, such as annexing parts of the West Bank, pursuing a two-state solution, strengthening the rule of law, or weakening the judiciary. The coalition also faces fierce opposition from Netanyahu’s loyalists, who accuse it of betraying the right-wing voters and forming an illegitimate government with the support of Arab parties.
The new government will have to find a way to balance these competing interests and build trust among its members and the public. It will have to address the deep-rooted problems that plague Israel’s democracy, such as the lack of a constitution, the erosion of civil rights, the discrimination against minorities, and the influence of religion on politics. It will also have to restore Israel’s image and relations with its allies, especially the United States, which have been damaged by Netanyahu’s confrontational style and policies.
The new government will have a historic opportunity to reshape Israel’s democracy and society for the better. But it will also face enormous challenges and risks. It will need courage, wisdom, and pragmatism to succeed. And it will need the support of all Israelis who care about their country’s future.
Israel is a country that prides itself on being the only democracy in the Middle East, but it also faces many challenges and criticisms regarding its political system and its treatment of minorities and the occupied territories. In this blog post, I will explore some of the ways that Israel’s democracy can be improved, based on my own opinions and observations.
One of the main issues that affects Israel’s democracy is the electoral system, which is based on proportional representation with a low threshold of 3.25% for parties to enter the parliament. This system leads to a fragmentation of the political spectrum, with many small parties competing for votes and seats, and often results in unstable coalitions that depend on the support of extremist or sectarian factions.
A possible solution to this problem is to raise the electoral threshold to a higher percentage, such as 5% or 10%, which would reduce the number of parties and encourage more moderation and compromise among them. Alternatively, Israel could adopt a mixed electoral system, with some seats allocated by proportional representation and some by district-based voting, which would increase the accountability and representation of individual candidates and regions.
Another issue that undermines Israel’s democracy is the lack of a written constitution that defines the basic rights and principles of the state and its citizens. Israel has a set of Basic Laws that serve as a quasi-constitution, but they are not comprehensive or coherent, and they can be easily amended or overridden by a simple majority in the parliament.
A written constitution would provide a clear and consistent framework for the rule of law, the separation of powers, and the protection of human rights, especially for minorities and marginalized groups. A written constitution would also help to resolve some of the conflicts between the secular and religious sectors of Israeli society, by establishing the boundaries and limits of state intervention in matters of personal status, education, culture, and public life.
A third issue that affects Israel’s democracy is the ongoing occupation of the Palestinian territories, which has lasted for more than half a century and has created a situation of inequality, oppression, and violence for millions of people. The occupation not only violates international law and human rights norms, but also erodes Israel’s own democratic values and institutions, by creating a dual legal system, a military bureaucracy, a culture of impunity, and a climate of fear and hatred.
The only way to end the occupation and its negative consequences is to reach a just and lasting peace agreement with the Palestinians, based on the two-state solution that recognizes their right to self-determination and sovereignty alongside Israel. Such an agreement would also enhance Israel’s security, legitimacy, and integration in the region and the world.
These are some of the ideas that I have for improving Israel’s democracy, but I am sure that there are many others that could be discussed and debated. I believe that Israel has the potential and the responsibility to become a more democratic, inclusive, and peaceful country, for the benefit of all its citizens and neighbors.