The Judicial Overhaul and Anti-Democratic Initiatives - Part II

IDI experts outline the initiatives and measures undertaken by the government that, taken together, constitute a concentrated effort undermine Israel's democratic institutions. At the core of these efforts is a dramatic attempt to weaken the status of the Attorney General; increased politicization of the police; continued undermining of the independence of the judiciary and more.

Review Period: April 10, 2024, to May 30, 2024

"The Quiet Reform," highlighted by the Attorney General in her speech at the Bar Association conference on May 27, 2024, did not start only in the recent weeks. For months, and indeed since the outbreak of the war in October 2023, the government has been advancing initiatives that could weaken Israeli democracy. In our review published in May, we outlined its components (this review included all the main initiatives taken from October 8, 2023 to April 9, 2024). In recent weeks, despite the many defense and diplomatic challenges facing the State of Israel, and despite the Knesset recess, the initiatives have grown in frequency and become more blatant.

This outline focuses not only on legislative amendments, but also a variety of other steps, some of which could be drastic. At the core of these efforts is a dramatic attempt to weaken the status of the Attorney General; increased politicization of the police; and continued undermining of the independence of the judiciary. In these and other arenas, it is clear that while the judicial overhaul legislative initiatives of last year did not succeed, significant developments are currently underway in government with consequences no less destructive than the original overhaul legislative initiatives.

Summary Table: Government and Coalition Initiatives – April 10, 2024, to May 30, 2024

These initiatives reflect an ongoing effort by the government to weaken democratic principles and institutions in Israel. The documented actions indicate a systematic approach to undermining the rule of law, judicial independence, police autonomy, freedom of speech, and the rights of various communities, posing a significant and ever-growing threat to the democratic fabric of the country.