Constitution

Publications Regarding Constitution

Articles

Op-ed

The Weakest Constitution in the World

The Override Clause would not alter the balance between the branches of government – it would shift the balance of power between the government and the governed

Article

A Dishonorable Burial of the Constitutional Regime

 The proposed amendment which will strip the Supreme Court of the power to invalidate legislation (“the British model”), or alternatively, would allow the Knesset, by a vote of 61 of its members to reinstate a law that the court has struck down (“the override clause”) pose a grave threat to every single Israeli citizen. 

Article

Fertile Ground for Growth: The Jewish State’s Balancing Act

Beinisch and Plesner voice optimism about the future of Israel despite current tensions and threats to its democracy 

Press Release

Jewish vs. Democratic: IDI Experts Say Nation State of the Jewish People Bill Threatens Stability in Israel

Bill is as an attempt to destabilize the balance between Israel's democratic character and its Jewish character.

Op-ed

A Ready Alternative to the Nation State Law

IDI researcher Dr. Amir Fuchs criticizes the proposed Basic Law that would establish Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people and recommends accepting Israel's Declaration of Independence as the preamble to Israel's future Constitution instead.

Op-ed

Only a Constitution will Ensure Good Governance in Israel

IDI researcher Attorney Amir Fuchs asserts that the only way for Israel to ensure good governance is by adopting a constitution.

Op-ed

Human Rights under Attack

IDI Researcher Attorney Amir Fuchs discusses two indirect threats to human rights in Israel: attacks on the Israeli Supreme Court and attacks against Israeli human rights organizations.

Op-ed

Nows the Time for a Constitution

History teaches that adopting a constitution is usually possible only at the point at which a state is first established; if that opportunity is missed, it is only at a time of real crisis that it is politically feasible to set new rules of the game. In an op-ed in <em>Haaretz</em>, IDI Vice President of Research Prof. Mordechai Kremnitzer and Attorney Amir Fuchs assert that such a moment has come.

Op-ed

We Need a Constitution

In an op-ed published in Haaretz on June 23, 2010, IDI Vice President Prof. Mordechai Kremnitzer reaffirms the need for a constitution for Israel, responds to criticism of IDI's draft constitution, and challenges others to come up with their own constitution proposals.

Article

In Israel, Rescuing Government from Itself

Dr. Arye Carmon, co-founder and president of the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI), discusses how the lack of a constitution is an internal existential threat to Israel. Dr. Carmon's approach is inclusive and integrative, including such remedies as one-ballot elections and a Constitution by Consensus.

Op-ed

Israel at 60: On the Road to Democratic Maturity

Barak Cohen discusses how Israel's lack of a constitution manifests itself today as unanswered fundamental questions of seemingly irreconcilable identities. The steps of progress and maturity have to consist of compromises and rationality.

Op-ed

We, The Israeli People

For five years, IDI fellows worked on the daunting task of drafting a constitution for Israel. In an article in The Jewish Week, IDI's Uri Dromi reflects on the process.

Op-ed

Give Israel a Constitution

In an article originally published in The Jerusalem Post, IDI Former President and Founder Dr. Arye Carmon reflects on the significant progress toward the enactment of a full constitution for Israel.

Books