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Israel must not squander its opportunity for much needed renewal, but first the people need to weigh in and choose a consensual mechanism of constitutional reform

A majority of Israelis think there is a fair or high chance President Trump will exert pressure on Israel if the government in Israel does not align with his initiatives in the Middle East; A large majority (72.5%) also think the release of the hostages was achieved thanks to his intervention.

Following Justice Isaac Amit's selection as Supreme Court President, Minister of Justice Levin immediately declared he would refrain from any collaboration between them, describing the selection process as unlawful. This announcement is both factually incorrect and a serious dereliction of his duties. 

While the selection of Justice Amit as President of the Supreme Court was done in accordance with the relevant legislation, the Justice Minister has declared the procedure "fundamentally improper and illegal." His refusal to recognize the selection creates a precedent that may lead to the deterioration of the authority of other institutions. This is what the beginning of a constitutional crisis looks like. 

The lack of cooperation between the Minister of Justice and the President of the Supreme Court has numerous consequences that will, among other things, harm the services provided by the judiciary to the citizens of Israel.

In recent years, it has repeatedly been claimed that “Israel has too many elections.” On the one hand, this is true, Israel has the highest frequency of parliamentary elections compared to all developed democracies. On the other, Israelis have fewer voting opportunities.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar presented their proposed changes to the composition of the Judicial Selection Committee (JSC) as a compromise aimed at achieving a gradual change in the judicial selection process, but many constitutional experts worry that the plan will have dire consequences resulting in the politicization of Israel’s judicial selection process.

Today, (January 19, 2025), three Otzma Yehudit ministers - Itamar Ben-Gvir, Yitzhak Wasserlauf, and Amichai Eliyahu - announced their resignation from the government and the withdrawal of their party from the coalition. This withdrawal decreases the coalition majority in Knesset to 62 MKs, thereby reducing the Prime Minister's leverage to politically maneuver. 

Law enforcement and security agencies are central pillars of democratic rule, and therefore, their capture is a pivotal factor in democratic decline. A comparative analysis by IDI experts reveals that this takeover is often achieved quietly while striving to present all steps as lawful. 

The Levin-Saar plan abandons key elements of his earlier judicial overhaul, proposing changes to judicial selection and Basic Laws. While flawed, it offers a potential starting point for bipartisan negotiations to resolve Israel’s constitutional crisis.

 What are the legal steps that must be taken when a deal includes the freeing of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons?

A majority of Israelis (57.5%) support a comprehensive deal for the release of all the hostages in return for an end to the war in Gaza; Most Israelis think the current situation in Syria serves Israeli interest (52.5%); 68% of all Israelis, as well as 60% of Likud voters, are opposed to a law exempting Haredim from military service, even if this would mean a dissolution of the Knesset and new elections.

The Sa'ar-Levin proposal represents a shift from prioritizing professional qualifications in the Judicial Selection Committee to emphasizing political loyalty as the basis for judicial appointments. This risks eroding judicial independence, compromising professionalism, and incentivizing ideological extremism.

Only a small minority of the Israeli public (8%) think that the judicial overhaul should be the government’s highest priority today; The majority of respondents (53%) support keeping the current structure of the Judicial Selection Committee. Only around a quarter (27%) suppor adding politicians to the Committee.

In a statement following publication of the new initiative released by Minister of Justice Yariv Levin and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, IDI experts weigh in on the new proposal to change the Judicial Selection Committee. 

Just like the stories of Joseph and his brothers, the Hasmonean struggle revolves around the question of fraternity among siblings—a question that today challenges the modern Jewish kingdom – The State of Israel.

In response to a petition filed against him regarding the intentional delay in appointing a president of the Supreme Court, Minister Levin claimed that it is impossible to sanction him because he enjoys “substantive immunity.” A closer examination of the law reveals that this is not the case.

While the Haredi leadership is fighting against military service for yeshiva students, real change is already visible on the margins of Haredi society, with a growing desire among young men to serve in the IDF like other Israelis. What’s needed now is for the politicians, the religious leadership, and the government to adapt to the changes on the ground.

Less than one-fifth of Israelis rate Israel’s overall situation as “good” or "very good.” However, about two-thirds of the public believe that Israel is a good place to live. Additionally, a large majority of Jews and a small majority of Arabs feel a sense of belonging to the State of Israel and its challenges.

Amnesty International's report on the war in Gaza fails to prove acts of genocide by Israel, even when attempts are made to move the goalposts.

In September, the Supreme Court ordered the Minister to fulfill his duty to convene the Committee because the system cannot be paralyzed. Since then, the Minister has convened the committee, but refused to appoint the Supreme Court President. Now, the Court has ordered him to do so.

When South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who previously praised liberal democracy, declared martial law, a swift and decisive response from the general public, and subsequently parliament, thwarted the move within hours. These events illustrate that in order to increase the chances of recovery and inoculation against democratic backsliding, democratic institutions must be strengthened.

While it’s important to facilitate the integration of Haredim into academia and the workforce, seperate graduate program for men and women can be harmful to the rights of women and often clashes with the law that prohibits gender-based discrimination in public places.

On December 9, 2024, the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) and European Union (EU) Delegation in Israel jointly hosted a conference with leaders in the field of digital media challenges and regulations to advance solutions.

In the second installment of their two-part analysis of the ICC's decision to issue arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, Prof. Yuval Shany and Prof. Amichai Cohen examine the arguments behind the arrest warrants and steps Israel can take to prevent them from being realized. 

IDI's Prof. Yuval Shany and Prof. Irwin Cotler discuss the ICC arrest warrants issued against Israel's Prime Minister and former Defense Minister. The event was hosted by the International Jewish Lawyers organization in partnership with the American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (AAJLJ). 

48% of Israelis think PM Netanyahu cannot fully function as a wartime prime minister while testifying on trial, a large majority of Israelis think Trump will prioritize Israel's security, and a clear majority (61%) think the main reason behind the ICC's decision to issue arrest warrants is the Court's longstanding anti-Israel bias.

A new bill proposes to amend Basic Law: The Knesset, by expanding the criteria that would disqualify candidates and lists from participating in elections based on minimal and even past expressions, interpreted as sympathy or support for armed struggle of an enemy state or terrorist organization.