Articles

The following essay by Prof. Anita Shapira, entitled "The Jewish People Deniers," is a critical review of the book Eikh u-matai humtza ha-am ha-yehudi? (When and How was the Jewish People Invented?) by Shlomo Sand.

In an article originally published in The Jerusalem Post, Prof. Yedidia Z. Stern responds to criticism levied against the Israel Democracy Institute following its receipt of the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement.

An interview in which IDI Former President and Founder Dr. Arye Carmon discusses the Institute's achievements, his views on the government and its size, and the connection between his expertise on Nazi Germany and his research on democracy. 

It is a well known fact that the general public in Israel is dissatisfied with the government. It is a lesser known fact that in spite of this low approval rating, the Israeli public clearly prefers to receive social and financial services—such as education and healthcare—from the State, and not from philanthropists, private businesses or civil society organizations. 

The question of the "Arab vote" arises in Israel prior to every general election. In this article originally published in IDI's Hebrew journal Parliament, Karin Tamar Schafferman explains why Arab Israeli citizens often choose not to vote and how this phenomenon might play out in the 2009 Israeli elections. 

The question of the "Arab vote" arises in Israel prior to every general election. Following "Operation Cast Lead," Israel's large-scale military operation in Gaza which preceded the 2009 elections, the question shifted from "how will Arab citizens vote" to "will Arab citizens vote at all?" In this article originally published in Hebrew in IDI's online journal <em>Parliament</em>, Ms. Karin Tamar Schafferman explains why Arab Israeli citizens choose not to vote and how this phenomenon might play out in the 2009 Israeli elections.

IDI Researcher Dr. Dana Blander examines the statutory and customary roles of the Speaker of the Knesset and considers whether this is a symbolic job or one that has real influence on the operations of the Knesset. In addition, she compares the powers and functions of the Knesset Speaker with the corresponding roles in Great Britain and Australia.

Mr. Shmulik Nili explains how Avigdor Lieberman is gradually being identified as an important national, political alternative. According to Nili, Lieberman has blurred his position on the traditional Right-Left political spectrum by acknowledging the legitimacy of a Palestinian state, addressing the flaws in Israel's political configuration and more. 

IDI Researcher Dr. Ofer Kenig outlines the Israeli government elected in 2009, and explains why this particular five-party coalition may not succeed.

IDI Researcher Dr. Ofer Kenig analyzes the results of the 2009 Israeli general election elections as they pertain to women's representation in the Knesset.

On December 17–19, 2008, IDI hosted an international workshop entitled Anti-Politics: Citizens, Politics and the Political Profession. Mr. John Lloyd, who participated in the workshop, shared this article with the IDI website in honor of the occasion.  A shorter version of this article was published in Prospect Magazine, Issue 155, February 2009.

According to Israel's Basic Law, following general elections the president appoints a Knesset Member to form the new government. In the wake of the 2009 Israeli general election, Benjamin Netanyahu was chosen – even though he did not lead the largest party. Dr. Dana Blander proposes the establishment of a clear set of rules which would automatically give the leader of the largest party the power to form the incoming government, obviating ambiguity surrounding the selection process of the Prime Minister.

Mr. Nir Atmor of IDI's Political Reform program writes about the role of online campaigns in the 2009 Israeli general elections. The weeks preceding the elections revealed significant attempts by political parties to utilize the Internet as a primary campaigning instrument. Atmor applauds the politicians' "wisdom in adapting to a new technological reality", with the Internet at its core.

An analysis of the different patterns of alliances, unions, and mergers between political parties in Israel, which was originally published in Hebrew in IDI's online "Parliament" journal.

The Arab parties of Balad and Raam-Taal were banned last week from participating in the upcoming elections for the Knesset in February. This ruling by the Central Elections Committee is a clear indication of the dire state of Israeli politics and the ongoing deterioration of Israel's democratic character.

On December 27th, 2008, just weeks before the scheduled general elections, the IDF launched a large scale military operation in the Gaza Strip. Should elections be postponed because of war or should they be held as scheduled? IDI researcher Dr. Dana Blander discusses this question from an historical-legal perspective, drawing on Israeli historical precedents and the experiences of other democracies.

IDI Former President and Founder Dr. Arye Carmon explains the causes and effects of Knesset instability in light of the 2009 election, and outlines a series of electoral reforms that could stabilize and strengthen Israeli government and "prepare Israel for tough decisions that lie ahead."

A broad survey of the various models of district elections that could be adopted in Israel, which includes a comparative international perspective and explores the factors that must be taken into consideration when deciding to adopt such a system in Israel.

Israeli law calls for general elections every four years. However, recent Israeli governments have not survived a full term in office. In light of the 2009 elections, IDI Researcher Dr. Ofer Kenig, Knowledge Manager for the Israel Democracy Institute's website, explores the implications of frequent elections on the stability of Israeli democracy government.

Who is addressing the problematic relationship between local and national government in Israel? Is anyone designing a a comprehensive reform program to solve some of the issues that are the result of a malfunctioning system of local governance? How, if at all, does the national media deal with this issue?

An examination of the development of Israeli local politics, which discusses voting patterns, citizen participation in the decision making process and political activism, as each relates to local politics.

The IDI website met with Dr. Arye Carmon to discuss his views on the complex relationship between the government and the municipalities, an issue that was discussed extensively at the 2008 Caesarea Forum.

An exploration of voter participation in municipal elections in Israel that explores the possible reasons for low voter turnout and proposes ways to increase citizen participation in local politics.

An article by the Guttman Center for Surveys on the desire of young people from the Russian immigrant community in Israel to remain in Israel. 

Prof. Yedidia Z. Stern examines the reality of the ongoing financial crisis, and tries to explain how such a rational industry gets carried away with reckless decision-making procedures.

Prof. Yedidia Z. Stern discusses the issue of limiting salaries of public company executives and argues that the inadequacy of corporate, legal and economic oversight weakens the will to press charges and justifies the call for legislative intervention.

Anti-politics is the aversion of citizens to political institutions and elected political figures. In this article, IDI Senior Fellow Prof. Tamar Hermann and IDI researchers Yuval Lebel and Hila Zaban survey different types of anti-politics, distinguish between anti-politics and de-politicization, and present insights about Israeli anti-politics based on the findings of the 2008 Israeli Democracy Index.

An abridged version of a Hebrew article on cyber-terrorism that was originally published in IDI's Hebrew Parliament on-line journal.

An abridged version of a Hebrew article on cyber-terrorism that was originally published in IDI's Hebrew Parliament on-line journal.

An article from IDI's Hebrew Parliament on-line journal on the battle against the financing of terrorism and concerns about infringing basic rights.