Articles

"Basically we've entered into a new unknown terrain," says IDI President Yohanan Plesner.

"It's a matter of a change in the trajectory," says Yohanan Plesner, president of IDI following the Israeli Supreme Court ruling on the issue of ultra-Orthodox conscription.

Yohanan Plesner, President of IDI lays out the basic principles for a fair draft law.

What are the economic impacts of the Haredi blanket exemption and how would drafting the ultra-Orthodox benefit Israeli society and economy?

Press Release
Eli Hurvitz Conference: Morning Sessions

Press Release
Eli Hurvitz Conference: Afternoon Sessions

When did the ultra-Orthodox first receive an exemption from military service? How have Haredi demographics influenced this issue?

This is a timeline of the central milestones affecting the issue of Haredi conscription. 

In new research, IDI experts Shlomit Ravitsky Tur-Paz and Gabi Gordon find that conscripting even a small percentage of eligible Haredi men would save the Israeli economy billions of shekels annually. They found that drafting even 20% of Haredi men would significantly reduce the number of days necessary for reserve duty and save 2.5 billion shekels in budgetary expenses by 2050. Full conscription of the ultra-Orthodox men would eliminate the need for reserve duty by 2045 and save the Israeli economy between 8-10 billion shekels.

A new survey by the Israel Democracy Institute's Viterbi Center for Public Opinion examined what should be the highest priority in terms of Israeli national interest: military action in Rafah or a deal to release the hostages held by Hamas.

Dr. Asaf Malchi's research explores the perspective of yeshiva students, their personal and social challenges and highlights a subgroup of 'alterative yeshivas' and their shifting perspectives on vocational training and employment.

IDI's Dr. Gilad Malach explains what a fair draft law for the ultra-Orthodox would look like. One that would distribute the burden over Israel's security more equally while enabling young Haredi men to integrate into the job market.

IDI's Prof. Karnit Flug, VP of Research and the William Davidson Senior Fellow for Economic Policy joined Jeff Schoenfeld, Chair of the Jewish Federation's Israel and Overseas Committee and Bloomberg's Galit Altstein to discuss the implications of the ongoing war in Gaza on Israel's economy.

IDI's Prof. Amichai Cohen answers a series of questions on international law and its dealings with the laws of war.

Yohanan Plesner, president of IDI and Prof. Yuval Shany, a Senior Fellow at the Center for Democratic Values and Institutions met with reporters to discuss the historic Supreme Court hearing on the repeal of the reasonableness doctrine.

With the Knesset set to hold its final vote on curtailing the “reasonableness standard,” what happens next? What are the implications of removing this type of oversight on governmental decisions, and is there still a possibility for compromise ahead of the vote?

Briefing by IDI President Yohanan Plesner Following the Suspension of the Judicial Overhaul.

Understanding the Proposed Reforms in the Israeli Government - Heidi Gantwerk, President of the Jewish Federation of San Diego in conversation with IDI's Prof. Amichai Cohen, Senior Fellow at the Center for Security & Democracy. 

The effects of the judicial overhaul on Israel's economy and foreign relations: Jeffrey Shoenfeld, Chair of the Jewish Federations of North America in conversation with Prof. Karnit Flug, IDI's Vice President of Research and William Davidson Senior Fellow for Economic Policy and Elliot Abrams, Council of Foreign Relations and former senior advisor to presidents Reagan, Bush & Trump. 

An analysis of President Herzog's reform compromise proposal from March 15th and public and political response.

The Jewish Federations of Cleveland was joined by Dr. Amir Fuchs, senior researcher the Israel Democracy Institute at the Center for Democratic Values and Institutions to discuss how Israel is undergoing many changes in its government. 

Moderated by Judge Dan A. Polster.

President of IDI, Yohanan Plesner, describes the judicial reforms that would make Israeli democracy stronger and transform a moment of crisis into an historical constitutional opportunity.

President of IDI, Yohanan Plesner, describes the judicial reforms that would make Israeli democracy stronger and transform a moment of crisis into an historical constitutional opportunity.

How Are Judges Selected in Israel?

Dr. Guy Lurie Answers a Few Common Questions

Prof. Suzie Navot explains the judicial overhaul and its dangers in a way we can all understand.

How will the judicial reform impact Israel's hi-tech sector? Shlomo Dovrat, co-founder and General Partner at Viola Ventures, Chairman of the Aaron Institute for Economic Policy explains the crucial role the hi-tech industry plays in Israel's economy and the stark implications of the judicial overhaul on its future.

Prof. Eric Maskin and Prof. Paul Milgrim, both Nobel Prize laureates, express their concern over the proposed judicial overhaul during a special conference held at IDI on the econonic consequences of the reform.

"Lets talk about the rules of the game to ensure that Israel remains both Jewish and democratic, today and tomorrow"

Key Findings