Turning Back the Tide
Written By: Yohanan Plesner
To tackle the crisis of democracy we must restore the public's faith in its governing institutions.
Jerusalem Report: Welcome to 21st Century Politics
Written By: Elli Wohlgelernter
Poorly funded and under threat from personalization and social media, political parties are in decline.
Under the Radar Screen?
Written By: Prof. Yuval Shany, Adv. Amir Cahane
Israel's security agencies have sweeping surveillance powers, but are subjected to few checks and balances.
Terrorism in the Digital Age
Written By: Terrance J. Mintner
How does Israel confront terrorist threats in an era of online incitement and lone-wolf attacks?
Israel's Next Economic Miracle?
Written By: Dr. Gilad Malach, Dr. Nasreen Haddad Haj-Yahya
Haredim and Arabs must be integrated into society and economy to take the start-up nation to the next level.
Flexonomics
Written By: Ilan Evyatar
In a dynamic labor market, challenged by technological disruption and increasing longevity, flexibility is key.
A Threat to the Foundations of Jewish Peoplehood
Written By: Prof. Yedidia Z. Stern
Leaving issues of religion and state to an ultra-Orthodox monopoly is leading to estrangement between Israel and the Diaspora. New arrangements must be reached.
Democracy at Risk
Written By: Prof. Mordechai Kremnitzer
Citizens must lead the way in the battle against political corruption.
Baltimore and Ramla
Written By: Dr. Nasreen Haddad Haj-Yahya
The author proposes a number of policy recommendations that could help Israel’s Arab population, and could be applicable to any society that suffers from socioeconomic segregation and related challenges. This article was first published by Jmore.
Security and Democracy in the Modern Era
Written By: Prof. Yuval Shany
Israel has been in a state of emergency since 1948. But the nature of the threat has changed over-time—from full-scale military invasions to isolated airplane hijackings, from suicide bombings to missile attacks, and most recently, cyber and lone wolf terrorism.
These ever-evolving threats necessitate new responses and strategies.
Privacy Matters in the Digital Age
Written By: Dr. Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler
Priavcy is a requirement for the proper functioning of any democratic society.
Hijab, Kippah, Crucifix
Written By: Prof. Yedidia Z. Stern
The ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) that a company is permitted to terminate its worker for wearing religious dress is a sad demonstration of the words of Ecclesiastes: “And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.”
The Mobileye Acquisition is Proof that AI Needs Guidelines
Written By: Dr. Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler
The sale of Mobileye to Intel is not surprising when you consider that last year MIT Technology Review ranked the Jerusalem-based company as one of the 10 smartest companies in the world. As such, the real story is the relationship between government, society, and technology.
Time for the Start-Up Nation to Build a Start-Up Government
Written By: Dr. Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that “the time has come for the Start-Up Nation to also have a Start-Up Government.” I agree. But can it be done?
The Most Dangerous Terrorist in Israel is Someone You’ve Never Heard Of
Written By: Prof. Yedidia Z. Stern
It is almost certain that readers of this article will not recognize the name of this man, the terrorist who caused more damage to Israel’s security than any other attacker in recent years. His name is Abdel Fattah al-Sharif, 21, from Hebron.
In Governments Run by Humans, Freedom of Information is Necessary to Prevent Corruption
Written By: Dr. Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler
What is the state of freedom of information in Israel? Like in the US, there is good and bad news.
Israel Exemplifies Rise of Personalized Politics
Written By: Prof. Gideon Rahat
Donald Trump’s surprise win seems to illustrate the awesome power of the Internet-savvy individual in politics.
Women in Politics: 2017
There has been a substantial increase in the amount of women serving as Ministers of the Knesset since 1999.
Status of Women in Israeli Politics: The Good, The Bad and The Road to Full Equality
Written By: Prof. Ofer Kenig
The impressive increase of women's representation in the Knesset has not translated into similar strides in other political spheres and senior executive positions.
Ensuring a Vibrant Democracy
Written By: Yohanan Plesner
Who are Israel's Haredim?
Written By: Dr. Gilad Malach
New statistics shed light on a population that was once hidden behind "walls of holiness." Today, those walls are beginning to break.
What these Conservative Supreme Court Justices Won’t Do
Written By: Prof. Yedidia Z. Stern
The four new Judicial Appointments Committee selections to the Supreme Court last month have led to the usual partisan responses, breaking down along the lines of “winners” and “losers.” Despondent claims of an “anti-constitutional revolution” are being made simultaneously with celebratory assertions of “making history.” The facts, however, are quite different.
The Shabbat Wars: A Guide for the Perplexed on the 'Status Quo' … and a Possible Solution
Written By: Dr. Shuki Friedman
A summary of the legal situation in Israel regarding Shabbat observance.
Privatizing Religion
Written By: Yair Ettinger
Yair Ettinger discerns between different streams of Religious-Zionist Jews in Israeli society, and analyzes how these schisms play out in the socio-political arena. This piece was originally published by Brookings.
Religion, State, and the Jewish Identity Crisis in Israel
Written By: Prof. Yedidia Z. Stern
Yedidia Stern examines the tension between religion and state in Israel by exploring several key areas of dispute in Jewish Israeli society and politics. This paper was first published by Brookings.
A Bitter Failure of Israel’s Democracy
Written By: Prof. Amichai Cohen
While there is no way to know whether the military picture of the recent Gaza war would have been different had members of the security cabinet been kept abreast of the tunnel threat, there can be no doubt that what occurred was a failure of Israel’s democracy.
Innovation was the Epic Fail of 2016
Written By: Dr. Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler
In Israel, we talk a lot about innovation. But what does the term really mean?
Pardon Requests in Cases Brought Before Israeli Military Courts: How Do They Work?
Written By: Colonel (Res.) Dr. Liron A. Libman
Even before the conclusion of the Elor Azaria trial, there were calls for the 'Hebron Shooter' to be pardoned. Under such circumstances, what does a pardon entail and how can an IDF soldier who had been sentenced in a military court of law be granted one?
Happy Birthday, Knesset!
Written By: Prof. Ofer Kenig
As the Knesset, Israel’s legislature, marks its birthday, IDI takes the opportunity to consider two aspects about it: its members’ social composition and its relative size.
The Future of Israel’s Political Parties is on Facebook
Written By: Yohanan Plesner
Harnessing the power of readily available technological tools to promote political engagement and revitalize intra-party democratic practices is essential for strengthening party institutions and restoring the public’s faith in government.
