Articles

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.

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

This is an executive summary of a study published in Hebrew and presented at IDI's Eli Hurvitz Conference.

Four key issues are expected to take center stage in Israel's 2026 elections, representing a referendum on the future of the country's democratic character, the balance between religion and state, and the question of a liberal civic consensus in an era of unprecedented polarization.

On Shavuot, Jewish tradition celebrates the story of Ruth, emphasizing choice, loyalty, and belonging as the central qualities shaping the boundaries of the Jewish community. A proposed amendment to the Law of Return would go against this spirit – everything you need to know about the bill and the history on the issue.

What is the process and timing involved in dissolving Knesset and initiating elections? What happens between a Knesset dissolution and the forming of a new government? Is Israel's process typical compared to other countries? All your questions answered about dissolving Israeli Knesset.

When and why was the Advisory Committee on Senior Civil Service Appointments established, what are its powers, and which appointments is it supposed to review? In light of the High Court hearing on petitions against the appointment of Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman as head of the Mossad, this explainer reviews the role and composition of the “Grunis Committee,” as well as the meaning of “integrity” in senior public appointments.

In response to claims that the Supreme Court tied the hands of the IDF along the Gaza border in the years leading up to the October 7 attacks, it must be stated clearly: these allegations are completely unfounded and serve as merely a pretext to avoid setting up a state commission of inquiry.

In the wake of the announcement by the director-general of the Central Elections Committee, Orly Adas, of her resignation: What is the role of the Committee, what is the role of the director-general, what is the significance of this resignation, and what challenges will need to be addressed?

64% of Jewish Israelis and 48.5% of Arab Israelis think ending the Iran war is not compatible with Israel's security interests. 51% of Israelis think the US administration has greater influence over Israel's defense decisions than the Israeli government. A plurality of Israelis believe settler violence against Palestinians is handled too leniently.

In the midst of fringe calls to violence that misrepresent the Lag B'Omer pilgrimage to Mount Meron, Haredi leadership ought to speak out for public responsibility and safety. Five years after the Meron crush disaster that left forty-five dead, protecting life is not a concession. It is a moral and religious imperative.

Everything you need to know about the structure and responsibilities of Israel's Knesset (parliament) and how national elections work in Israel.

On April 26, 2026, the High Court of Justice ordered the government to take measures to enforce the draft of ultra-Orthodox men into the IDF. This includes both the withholding of certain state benefits and the imposition of criminal proceedings for draft evaders.

Former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announced a joint run of the "Bennett 2026" and Yesh Atid parties in the 2026 election. It is certainly possible that we will see additional joint runs like these ahead of the elections, for example, within the center bloc, the right-wing bloc, and among the Arab parties. The assumption is that such a run would benefit the parties and the bloc. But is this assumption correct?

Hungary's incoming prime minister declared his intention to institute term limits for the prime minister – an exceptional move for a parliament. While similar ideas have been proposed in Israel, term limits are not a substitute for strong democratic institutions based on oversight and checks and balances.

Nadav Dagan (PhD), Senior Researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute and Research Fellow at the Minerva Center (University of Haifa), together with Daphne Benvenisty, a researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute, join the Minerva Center for the Rule of Law under Extreme Conditions at the University of Haifa, for a seminar where they present findings from their comparative study on Autocratization and States of Emergency. Their study presents a show a clear link between the use of 'states of emergency' and accelerated erosion or dismantling of democracy, and autocratic consolidation.

On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the High Court of Justice heard petitions filed against the continuation of MK Itamar Ben-Gvir’s term as minister of national security, against the background of allegations of his improper involvement in the activities of the Israel Police and violations of its professional independence. The hearing was an expanded panel of nine justices.

Against the backdrop of the bills currently under consideration in the Knesset, which are intended to split the role of the Attorney General, IDI experts explain what is at stake.

For years, Orbán’s leadership model served as proof of concept for populist leaders that liberal democracy could be dismantled gradually, legally, and with public support. His defeat could have an impact far beyond the borders of Hungary.

For the first time in history, it is possible to turn an old photograph into a living video and to generate a voice that sounds exactly like a lost loved one. If digital tools can reconstruct and fill in our memories, they are also capable of rewriting them.

The discourse around the impact of AI on the labor market tends to be centered on forecasts of how many jobs will be lost due to AI. The future is indeed uncertain, but this debate misses the mark. We now have a clearer view of what is already happening in Israel's labor market (as of 2025) that should shift the debate towards how to prepare and equip the labor market and education system for the changes that are unfolding. The answer to preparedness lies in human capital and a holistic economic approach.

49% of Jewish Israelis say Israel's strategic and security situation is better than before the war with Iran, while among Arabs, 49% say it is worse. 92% of Jews gave the IDF a high rating on their management of the war; only 38% gave the government high ratings. Among Arabs, 34.5% gave the IDF high ratings; only 10% gave the government high ratings.

A "special state of emergency" has been applied over the years due to security crises, the COVID pandemic, and now the war with Iran. How does this affect the regulation of the courts and the power of the Minister of Justice?