Articles

Prof. Ofer Kenig briefed the Jerusalem Press Club on Israel’s upcoming elections including on how the electoral system works, the formation of party lists, “double envelope” voting, coalition negotiations, and the process of forming a new government after election day.

Torah study is a cornerstone of Jewish heritage and is worthy of support. The Basic Law that has passed in Knesset, however, could have implications for the principle of equality, the constitutional status of a Basic law and indeed, the world of Torah itself.

The legislation expands the possibility of gender-separated studies in higher education, fundamentally altering the balance between the desire to make higher education accessible to the Haredi population and the principle of equality.

The decision has been made for Knesset elections to take place, as scheduled, on October 27, 2026, marking the first election in Israel since 1988 in which Knesset has completed its full term. Indeed, Israel ranks as the country with the second-most frequent elections out of OECD parliamentary democracies.

The legislation would largely repeal reforms passed in 2021, restoring the Chief Rabbinate’s centralized role over kosher certification, reducing competition and limiting religious choice.

The latest proposal would undermine the binding force of the Attorney General’s legal opinions and abolish the AG's exclusive authority to decide whether to permit the government separate legal representation, removing two of the main tools that enable the institution to safeguard the rule of law.

28% of Israelis think Israel's security is a central consideration for President Trump, down from 44% last month. 72% of Israelis think Israel should maintain a permanent security zone in South Lebanon. A plurality (50.5%) of Israelis think it is inappropriate to advance legislation with a substantive impact on Israel's system so close to elections.

In light of the government's announcement that an interim order issued by the Supreme Court does not have binding force, the question arising in this case goes beyond the matter of the Second Authority and touches on the foundations of Israel’s democratic system of government.

The establishment of a politicized commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7, as in the legislation currently making its way through Knesset, would harm the ability to uncover the truth and the Israeli publics' ability to heal.

Legislation that would give the study of Torah constitutional status may lead to a situation in which, given limited resources, the state might prioritize Torah study over the acquisition of skills needed for the modern labor market and a thriving economy.

What does this legislation include? Why is it being legislated now, of all times? Is it constitutional? And how will it affect Haredi conscription? Everything you need to know.

This review demonstrates a clear correlation between religious self-definition and voting in elections. The further one moves toward the secular end of the continuum between Haredim and secular Jews, the greater the likelihood of voting for a political camp currently identified with the opposition, and vice versa.

A semi-open ballot system would give voters the chance to express preference for particular candidates on election day, not just a pre-determined party list. This would improve accountability to the voters and resolve many of the shortcomings in the current methods of candidate selection.

Israel needs a nuanced doctrine for Haredi policing: consistent enforcement against violence and obstruction; disciplined restraint in the use of force; distinctions between extremists and the broader Haredi public; and direct police service to Haredi citizens who need help.

This survey is part of a broader study. Research team: Dr. Tammy Hoffman, Daphna Cahana-Dolev, Meital Baron, and Dani Gigi.

Thirty years ago this week, on June 18, 1996, MK Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as Israeli Prime Minister for the first time. Since then, he served a cumulative total of nearly 19 years in office. This makes him one of the longest-serving leaders in the democratic nations.

IDI President Yohanan Plesner and Prof. Tamar Hermann, Academic Director of IDI's Viterbi Family Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research, join Dr. Natan Sachs from the Middle East Institute to discuss Israel’s upcoming elections, why they are viewed as especially consequential, the role of Arab parties in future coalitions, and what might change under a different government.

44% of Israelis think Israel's security is a central consideration for President Trump, representing a sharp decline from the last measurement. 61% of Israelis think Prime Minister Netanyahu should not run in the upcoming Knesset elections; 35% think he should.

How is the state comptroller elected? What are the comptroller’s powers, whom does the comptroller audit, and to what extent can they actually influence decision-makers in practice? Here is what you need to know.

Policymakers, government officials from across the political spectrum, tech executives, and academics joined IDI experts to take on challenges in Israel's wartime economy and advance research-driven policy debate in an election year.

A special survey released ahead of the Israel Democracy Institute's Eli Hurvitz Conference, 2026.

The institution of the attorney general is one of the few checks on government power in Israel. Legislation making its way through Knesset would effectively remove the constitutional functions of the office to safeguard the rule of law in Israel's democratic system.