Coronavirus

Publications Regarding Coronavirus

Articles

Article

Israelis Out of Work as a Result of COVID-19

New IDI survey finds that 250,000 Israelis, who are not working, and not receiving unemployment allowances, might soon be forced to rely on supplemental income support.

 

 

 

Article

The Collapsed Bridge Loan: Israel’s Shin Bet Location Tracking of Omicron Carriers

Israel reinstated contact-tracing activities by the Israel Security Agency to track carriers of the omicron variant of the coronavirus. Five days later, it halted the ISA’s contact-tracing activities, due to a lack of parliamentary support.

Israeli Voice Index

Stabilizing the Economy and Combatting COVID by Imposing Restrictions

After more than 100 days in office – Israelis want the new government to prioritize stabilizing the economy and combatting COVID by imposing restrictions on the unvaccinated

Op-ed

FDA Booster Decision Disappoints all Sides

The FDA ruling regarding the Pfizer booster shot may have not been completely in-line with the Health Ministry's recommendation, but the open and transparent decision-making processes employed by the American agency holds important lessons for Israel

Op-ed

Why Don't We Talk to the Teachers?

The pandemic offers a chance for much-needed educational reform, but the hasty return is raising fears that the opportunities presented by the crisis for truly driving the education system forward into the 21st century are being missed

Op-ed

Using Electronic Bracelets

Electronic bracelets should be used only after restricting access to information and ensuring its security

Op-ed

Attention Facebook and Outbrain: Paid Content Is Now Political Ads in Israel

Israel's Central Election Committee made a landmark ruling: promoted content online - even to real news reports - is political advertising

Op-ed

Another Victim of the Pandemic: Our Fundamental Rights

There is no doubt that the Government has an obligation to employ meaningful measures against the pandemic, but the ease with which it was willing to infringe basic rights—is most disturbing

Press Release

ISA Contact Tracing – Supreme Court Decision

Israel's Supreme Court ruling on ISA's contact tracing is a reflection of the government’s decision-making processes during COVID

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Article

Israel at the Precipice: Will the March Election Bring an End to Israel’s Political and Economic Crisis?

As Covid-19 continues to take Israeli lives and ravage its economy, seemingly immune to Israel’s impressive vaccination campaign, IDI President Yohanan Plesner and Professor Karnit Flug, Vice President, Research and William Davidson Senior Fellow for Economic Policy joined IDI's VP of Strategy Dr. Jesse Ferris on a JFN webinar to discuss the stakes and possible outcomes of Israel’s fourth election in less than two years.

Op-ed

The State of Israel is Stuck in the 1980s

The pandemic has brought to the fore what was already clear - the public's trust in Israel’s local government is much higher than in the central government. It is high time more authority to be transferred to the care of local leaders.

Op-ed

On the Fringes of Ultra-Orthodox Society

Government agencies have not geared up to effectively address the phenomenon of marginalized ultra-Orthodox youth

Op-ed

Israel Heads Toward Its Fourth Elections

After failing to meet the December 22 deadline for passing a budget, Israel is headed towards a once unfathomable fourth election in less than two years. The results of the last three elections in 2019-2020 did not dispel the political turmoil - we are about to see if the results from the fourth elections in 2021 will be any different.

Press Release

IDI's 2020 Democracy Index: Trust in HMOs is Higher Than All Other Public Institutions

Israeli Democracy Index 2020 included a focus on Israel’s healthcare system and found higher levels of satisfaction with HMOs than with hospitals and public trust in Sick Funds is higher than in any other public institution surveyed

Press Release

IDI's 2020 Democracy Index: Erosion in Israelis' Assessment of Police

Israeli Democracy Index 2020 reveals sharp decline in assessment of relations between the police and the public since the outbreak of COVID-19. A majority of Israelis believe that the police does not take criticism seriously

 

Op-ed

Wave No. 3 is Here – We Must Learn our Lesson

Politicians and healthcare practitioners alike must learn from their experience and formulate strategy before it is too late.

Op-ed

Of Whales and Members of Knesset

The real reason behind Israel's elections: The Knesset dispersed itself because one man, the prime minister, finds himself in a situation in which his fate depends on the courts.

Press Release

Elections Should be Avoided

Defense Minister Benny Gantz: "Elections should be avoided, there should be a budget and a functioning government; I have no intention of replacing Avi Nissenkorn – he is doing a good job and we are committed to preserving democracy and judicial institutions."

Article

2020 Eli Hurvitz Conference on Economy & Society – Recap of Day 3

The 2020 Eli Hurvitz Conference on Economy and Society concluded today following special addresses from the Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz and Chair of the Opposition MK Yair Lapid as well as discussions and deliberations with Minister of Health Yuli Edelstein, senior WHO and local health officials and mayors from throughout Israel.

 

Press Release

Bolstering the Health System's Capacity to Manage Crisis Situations

As part of the IDI Eli Hurvitz Conference on Economy and Society, a session was held on December 16, 2020 with the participation of Health Minister Yuli Edelstein, Director General of the Ministry of Health Prof. Chezy Levy, and a number of experts in the field of health who are responsible for preparing the health system for emergencies and crises.

Article

Governance in a Crisis

The coronavirus pandemic can serve as a window of opportunity. In their new book Prof. Nissim Cohen and Ron Tzur present decision-makers a roadmap for how to better deal with crisis in Israel.

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Article

2020 Eli Hurvitz Conference on Economy & Society – Recap of Day 2

The second day of the 2020 Eli Hurvitz Conference on Economy and Society concluded following discussions and deliberations with IDI experts, leading academics, key regulators and senior officials from the public and private sectors.

 

Press Release

The Education System: From Crisis to Opportunity

As part of the Israel Democracy Institute’s Eli Hurvitz Conference on Economy and Society, a panel took place with the participation of Minister of Education Yoav Galant and a number of education experts, focusing on preparing the education system for the post-COVID reality. Eli Hurvitz, executive director of the Trump Foundation, served as chair of the panel.

Press Release

The Israeli Workforce: From Crisis to Opportunity

The labor market panel at the Israel Democracy Institute’s Eli Hurvitz Conference on Economics and Society dealt with the challenges and opportunities of the employment market in the post-Covid era.

Op-ed

Covid-19 Vaccines – How to Encourage Public Cooperation: Explainer

With the vaccines for Covid-19 soon to be made available and in light of the high rates of Israelis who do not want to be the first to get the vaccine - IDI expert Prof. Yuval Feldman explains how to encourage public cooperations in getting COVID-19 vaccines.

Article

2020 Eli Hurvitz Conference on Economy & Society – Recap of Day 1

The first day of the 2020 Eli Hurvitz Conference on Economy and Society included discussions and deliberations with the Finance Minister Israel Katz, Prof. Amir Yaron the Governor of the Bank of Israel, Prof. Avi Simhon, the Chair of the National Economic Council, and senior private sector leaders from Israel and abroad. 

Press Release

From Global to Local: The Impact of the Global Crisis on Israel

As part of the Israel Democracy Institute’s Eli Hurvitz Conference on Economy and Society, a panel was held (Dec. 14th) on the implications of the global crisis on Israel, including the labor market and the question of the budget, US–Europe–Israel relations in the Biden era, changes in times of crisis and routine, and preparedness for future challenges.

 

Press Release

Regulators in Conversation: Financial Risk and Climate Change

"If you look at the S & P, close to 86% of companies today report on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compared to a decade ago" said Anat Levin, CEO, BlackRock Israel, on the topic of how the global financial market adapts itself to ESG

Press Release

From the Corona Crisis to the Climate Crisis

Chen Lichtenstein, Chief Financial Officer, Syngenta Ventures: “Tthe challenges and complications a small country like Israel faces, is a drop in the ocean by comparison. Israel should be able to easily make decisions of the same explicit impact – the word zero is critical.”

Press Release

D-Gs in Conversation: A Government Vision for Israel 2050

For the past two years, the Israel Democracy Institute, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Finance, and the OECD, has been leading a multi-sectoral and cross-ministerial process.

Press Release

From Recession to Growth: Macroeconomic Policy

The Israel Democracy Institute’s Eli Hurvitz's Conference on Economics and Society opened today with a session titled "From Recession to Growth: Macroeconomic Policy" focusing on ways to accelerate Post-COVID economic growth in Israel.

Op-ed

Incentivizing Compliance is a Great Approach but Must be used with Care

Incentivizing compliance could have a negative impact on those who view being tested for the coronavirus as an act of civic responsibility

Israeli Voice Index

Leaders' Credibility Low

Our monthly Index found that both Prime Minister Netanyahu and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz have low or very low credibility among Israelis. 

Op-ed

Israel’s Nation-state Law Isn’t ‘Declarative,’ It Does Real Damage

"Legislative declarations do not remain purely "declarative". They have consequences." Dr. Amir Fuchs explains.

Article

Is Israel Headed to 4th Elections? Briefing

Yohanan Plesner, President of the Israel Democracy Institute on today’s preliminary vote to disperse the Knesset: "Today's vote served as the opening shot in the 'blame game' with both Gantz and Netanyahu seeking to frame the other side as dragging the country towards a fourth elections as COVID numbers begin to rise again."

Podcast

We’re All in This Together. Are We?

Prof. Yuval Feldman, a senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, utilizes behavioral analysis of regulation, enforcement and compliance to understand how trust in the state has affected the response to the COVID pandemic in Israel and beyond

 

Special Survey

Haredim Trust Rabbis More Than the Health Ministry on COVID-19

62% of Haredim have very little or no confidence in Prime Minister Netanyahu's Handling of COVID-19; 60% think decision makers are guided mostly or only by political concerns

Press Release

National Security and Democracy Day 2

The second day of the Israel Democracy Institute's Center for National Security and Democracy annual conference, held in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (Israel office), concluded today (Wednesday). The online conference focused on public trust in the IDF, the militarization of a civilian crisis, the IDF model of service and gender equality in the military.

Press Release

National Security and Democracy Conference Day 1

IDI's annual conference on National Security and Democracy, held in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (Israel office), convened top officers and academic experts to discuss the changing relations between the IDF and Israeli society and draw lessons for the future from the military’s unprecedented involvement in the civilian COVID-19 crisis.

Press Release

From Top Down to Bottom Up

Israel Democracy Institute Experts to the Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee: “The only way to return to normal routine is through regulation and by encouraging the use of locally-developed apps in malls, workplaces and in educational institutions"

Special Survey

Large Majority Think IDF Should Manage Coronavirus Crisis 

A special survey reveals that the public perceives the IDF as a skilled army and is prepared to face major military threats

Special Survey

Israelis Wary about Partaking in First Round of Vaccinations

This survey is the fourteenth in a special series examines the public attitudes towards government policies relating to the coronavirus outbreak and to the economic fallout from the pandemic

Israeli Voice Index

70% of Jewish Israelis: A Second Trump is Preferable for Israel’s Interests

When it comes to the their country's interests, Israelis increasingly think that Donald Trump is the preferable US presidential candidate.

Op-ed

Ultra-Orthodox Non-Compliance Rests on Fear

In the second wave of the pandemic it seems that many ultra-Orthodox rabbis are assigning higher priority to 'customer retention' than to the clear halakhic imperative to preserve health and life

Op-ed

An Organized Civil Disobedience Campaign

Rabbi Kanievsky’s decision to disregard the law and open ultra-Orthodox schools is the first time in Israeli history that we are seeing something that approaches a call for mass civil disobedience orchestrated by a key public figure.

Special Survey

Majority Think 2nd Lockdown was Politically Motivated

55 percent of Israelis believe that the second lockdown was solely or mainly politically motivated; The majority of the public continues to express confidence in Prof. Gamzu; Continued increase in public concern about the economy

Article

Haredim and Coronavirus: Policy Recommendations for Exit from Second Lockdown

IDI experts present analysis of recent behavior of the ultra-Orthodox sector and present recommendations for an exit strategy from the lockdown, to be applied in the coming weeks and months.

Article

The Ultra-Orthodox and the Corona Crisis: Briefing

IDI experts analyze recent behavior of the ultra-Orthodox sector and present recommendations for a staggered exit strategy from the lockdown.

Article

Restrictions on Demonstrations: An International Comparison

As democracies struggle with the balance between health restrictions and freedom of assembly, Israel has limited protests to a one kilometer radius from their homes during the country's lockdown. How does this compare to other democracies?

Op-ed

What Do You Do When there’s a Hole in the Boat?

The handwriting was on the wall. Since the founding of the State, rabbis have served as middlemen between the government and the ultra-Orthodox. We must acknowledge that this approach has failed miserably.

Op-ed

At the Crossroads: The Ultra-Orthodox Community and Israeli Society

The coronavirus crisis proves once again that the lives of all Israelis are intertwined with those of the ultra-Orthodox and the country cannot be sustained with an autonomy living behind closed walls. Without shared responsibility for public health - 'normal life' will not be possible the post-COVID-19 era

Op-ed

Protests vs. Prayers vs. Weddings

As the contentious debates about protests and prayers continues in Israel, we must recognize that there is no room for imposing unjustified restrictions on the basic rights of one group of citizens, simply because this will make it easier to impose justified restrictions on the basic rights of another

Press Release

Legislation to Curb Protests is Unnecessary

IDI Leadership on Law Limiting Protests: "A Violation of the Most Basic Tenets of Democracy"

Op-ed

From Politics to a Holy War

Political positions, ideologies and worldviews, support for the Prime Minister or opposition to him—have been transformed into religious beliefs - a dangerous development for the future of Israeli society

Press Release

Only 27% of Israelis Trust PM Netanyahu to Lead Effort Against COVID-19

New IDI survey: Only 27% trust PM Netanyahu to lead efforts against COVID-19. 32% support current government restrictions & 29% supporting additional measures. 61% of Jewish Israelis don't plan on attending any Yom Kippur services.

Special Survey

Most Israelis Support Suspending Demonstrations as Part of Lockdown

While a third of the Israeli public supports the current restrictions imposed by the government and an additional 29% support putting additional measures into effect, trust in the Prime Minister's handling of the crisis has fallen to a new low. Most Israelis also believe that mass demonstrations should be banned during the lockdown.

Op-ed

Cries of Protest vs. Cries of Prayer

Protest is essential during lockdown. So is prayer. Even if freedom of expression is constitutionally ranked above communal prayer, tipping the scales between them undermines public confidence.

Press Release

"A Society without Culture is a Needy Society"

At a session of a conference on "Policy or Culture?” held by IDI and the Sapir Academic College, Minister Chili Tropper spoke of the need for culture to fortify society and not fall victim to divisive discourse

Op-ed

Israeli Tribalism Will Be the Death of Us

As Israel has grappled with the resurgence of COVID-19, tribalism has become more fierce as the country shifted from a state with a deep-seated sense of solidarity to a society in which the interests of one’s own sector comes first.

Op-ed

Appointments Now!

Senior governmental positions remain unfilled as political bickering has delayed appointments. Israeli law lays out a clear process for how such appointments must be made and the government should do so without further delay.

Press Release

Haredim - High Level of Distrust of Government Policies

Dr. Gilad Malach, Director of IDI's Ultra-Orthodox in Israel program on MK Ya'acov Litzman's resignation from the Cabinet: "Indicative of a very strong sentiment among the ultra-Orthodox community where there is currently a high level of distrust of government policies." 

Press Release

The Israeli Voice Index – August 2020

As Israelis approach the Jewish new year, they are skeptical about the country's collective mood but personally optimistic about the future. The Israeli public is also pleased about the expected treaty with the UAE and skeptical about the longevity of the government.

Israeli Voice Index

Israelis Pessimistic on the Country's Outlook but Hopeful on Peace with UAE

With the Jewish New Year approaching, Israelis are pessimistic on the country's outlook but hopeful on peace with UAE; 41% of Israelis think the upcoming year will be worse than the last; 68% of Israelis think that Israel will be heading to elections when the budget compromise between Likud and Blue and White expires in December.

Article

Working from Home: A Survey of Patterns and Attitudes

One of the very few pieces of good news resulting from the corona crisis is the increase in people working from home (WFH). Unfortunately, workers from lower socioeconomic groups are not benefiting from this change.

Press Release

Haredim Lose Faith in their Political Parties

Ultra-Orthodox communities have been very critical of their political leaders for not advocating vigorously enough on their behalf at the beginning of the COVID crisis. Now, the ultra-Orthodox parties are at the forefront of the contentious demand to permit mass travel to Uman.

Israeli Voice Index

Corona Survey #11

IDI's latest coronavirus survey found 45% of Israelis pessimistic about the country's ability to overcome the COVID-19 crisis. The survey also found that if opened, 74% of Israelis plan on sending their children to school

Article

Public Attitudes Toward Vocational Training During COVID-19

An IDI survey examines public opinion on Israelis preferred areas of study and participation when undergoing vocational training during the economic crisis resulting from the coronavirus.

Israeli Voice Index

Only 25% of Israelis Approve of Netanyahu's Handling of the Corona Crisis

The Israeli Voice Index for July 2020 found that 58% of Israelis identify with the protests against the government’s economic policies while 45% identify with the elements focused on personal opposition to Prime Minister Netanyahu

Article

Digital Contact Tracing and the Coronavirus: Israeli and Comparative Perspectives

IDI experts' report on digital contact tracing highlights its importance as a helpful tool in addition to human epidemiological investigations

Op-ed

Tisha Be'av: A Social Tragedy From Then to Now

Every generation has its own barns, whose stock is the source of its national resilience. We have a supreme obligation to protect them against those who would set them afire to promote their ideology

Article

Climate Crisis and Corona Virus Special Survey

Do Israelis want their government to improve the economy's readiness for the climate crisis? IDI's special survey on public attitudes to the climate crisis says that an overwhelming majority (89%) says "yes."

Op-ed

Two Cities Two Protests

The Jerusalem's police force's aggressive stance, with its water cannons at the ready, play a key role in amplifying public awareness of the recent protests in the capital.

Article

How to Generate Demand for Workers

A growing number of countries around the world have realized that vocational training and subsidies for the training period can increase the demand for workers. Israel's government should follow this lead, while at the same time accelerating the pace of development of infrastructure projects, to increase the demand for skilled workers.

Op-ed

Government's Coronavirus Law is Impractical and Undemocratic

Legislation giving ministers total authority over decision-making sets dangerous precedent for Israeli democracy and chaotic decision making will surely diminish the already-dwindling public trust in both government and future emergency regulations

Op-ed

How COVID-19 Changed Fatherhood

A survey by the Israel Democracy Institute found during the lockdown less than 20% of working men continued working as usual in the workplace. What does this mean for the future of work-life balance among Israeli couples?

Op-ed

Is Israel's Social Protest Movement About to Emerge?

As trust in the country's leadership erodes, the economy suffers, and the coronavirus surges, Israel is ripe to revolt, but probably won't

Article

The Jewish World and the Coronavirus Crisis

Jewish communities around the world have been hard-hit by the coronavirus and are still struggling to deal with its implications. In an in-depth study, Dr. Shuki Friedman and Gabriel Abensour analyze how the pandemic has created challenges for halakha (Jewish law) and upended communal life and what these communities should be preparing for when this crisis finally subsides.

Israeli Voice Index

Israel in Times of Corona

A special survey, the tenth in this series, by the Guttman Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research at the Israel Democracy Institute examined public opinion about government policies relating to the coronavirus outbreak and the economic fallout from the pandemic.

Podcast

Big Brother is Always Watching-Pandemic Surveillance Makes it Scarier

IDI's Dr. Tehilla Shwartz speaks with Amanda Borschel-Dan on a Times of Israel podcast about the resurgence of COVID-19 cases and how Israel's government is tracking them.

Op-ed

No More Shame - No More Responsibility

Now more than ever Israel needs a leader who will bolster its inner strength - is the leadership up to the task? 

Press Release

Government Unable to Manage Corona Crisis

"This fast-tracked legislation, that is intended to allow the cabinet to put further restrictions in place without approval from Knesset committees, is yet another example of chaos and an inability of the government to manage the coronavirus crisis."

Article

Israel Reauthorizes Shin Bet’s Coronavirus Location Tracking

In its attempts to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, Israel has employed a measure that has not been used by any other democratic country. Since mid-March, the Israeli government has sought the assistance of the General Security Service (also known as the Israeli Security Agency, the ISA, the Shabak or Shin Bet) in conducting epidemiological investigations by providing the Ministry of Health with the routes of coronavirus carriers and lists of individuals with whom they have been in close contact. The ISA queries its communication metadata database to identify the route of confirmed carriers and the individuals with whom they have been in close contact.

Op-ed

Ireland Finally Has a Government!

A tale of two unity governments: The coalition agreement that formed Israel's unity government is all about forcing the parties to live up to the deal. Ireland's is all about policy.

Article

Working from Home: Pre-and Post-Coronavirus

The coronavirus has made working from home much more prevalent, and has many advantages, including improving efficiency and providing workers with more flexibility. But how do we ensure that it does not increase wage disparities and provide even more advantages to those who are already the higher earners? IDI experts weigh in with recommendations to ensure that all sides benefit

Article

The Crisis Has Hit at the Core of the Labor Market

The current crisis threatens the heart of the labor market with 400,000 workers between the ages of 35-54 designated as "temporarily absent from work" due to the coronavirus

Press Release

ISA Surveillance Provides a False Sense of Security

Following the Cabinet's decision to introduce the ISA Surveillance Law to the Knesset, Dr. Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler, says that "use of ISA surveillance provides a false sense of security."

Press Release

ISA Tracking Should Not Be Resumed

Dr. Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler on the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee debate on contact tracing: "Permission to reintroduce the ISA's tracking program should not be granted."

Article

Integration of the Ultra-Orthodox the Wake of the Coronavirus

In wake of the coronavirus pandemic, IDI experts present a status report on the current state of Israel's ultra-Orthodox community as well as policy recommendations for how to better integrate them into Israeli society

Press Release

Discontinuing the ISA Tracking

Dr. Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler on why she supports the decision to halt ISA surveillance of covid-19 positive Israelis.

Op-ed

Without Trust, There Can Be No Compliance​

The Israeli public deserves leadership that isn't weighed down by a track record of incoherent instructions, selective enforcement, and politicians’ own failure to comply

Article

Coronavirus Bill - Professional Opinion Excerpts

The proposed bill, which is slated to replace the existing emergency regulations, limits Knesset oversight - the very reason this 'primary legislation' is so necessary

Israeli Voice Index

Half of Israelis Favor Applying Sovereignty

The Israeli Voice Index for May 2020 found that 50% of the public supports applying Israeli sovereignty over parts of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) with the U.S. administration’s support (25%) and without American backing (25%)

Article

Who Will Investigate the Coronavirus Crisis?

There have been calls to investigate the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis – but who should do the investigating?

Article

Arab Society in the Wake of the Coronavirus: Policy Recommendations

After three contentious election campaigns, Israel's new government has been sworn in. IDI's experts weigh-in with their recommendations on the most important issues on the agenda. Dr. Nasreen Hadad Haj-Yahya and Ayman Saif on the urgent challenges facing the 35th government to address the significant economic gaps that between Israel's Jewish and the Arab populations.

Press Release

Second Wave is a Matter of Time

More than half of Israelis think a second wave is a matter of time and 39% think that the return to normalcy is too fast

 

 

Op-ed

Israel’s Cease-Fire Government Should Promote Healing, Not Division

Netanyahu and Gantz could use their unity government to put in place a 'democratic ceasefire' and speed Israel’s economic recovery rather than entrenching political deadlock.

Article

Improving Israel's Security and Resilience

After three contentious election campaigns Israel's new government has been sworn in. IDI's experts weigh-in with their recommendations on the most important issues on the agenda. Prof. Amichai Cohen writes about the matters that should be at the top of the agenda to improve Israel's security and resilience.

Op-ed

No Justification Whatsoever

The establishment of the Netanyahu-Gantz government required many compromises.That being said, there is absolutely no way to justify the extravagant size of the new government

Op-ed

Don’t Call It a Comeback

In mature democracies, parliaments are regaining their relevance in the coronavirus era.

Op-ed

Sanity Prevails: 11 to 0

Israel's High Court handed down a unanimous decision - and the public saw for themselves that there was no devious plot to undermine the separation of powers.

Israeli Voice Index

Over Half of Jewish Israelis Support Annexation

The Israeli Voice Index for April 2020, found that 52% of Jewish Israelis support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stated policy of extending Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank, however only 32% believes Israel will move forward with this in the coming year.

 

Op-ed

Moment of Truth for Judicial Restraint

Many Israelis attribute a left-wing bias to the Supreme Court and accuse it of extreme activism, but the hearings that were broadcast live highlight the vast gulf between the Court's image and the reality

Israeli Voice Index

The Impact of the Corona Crisis on the Ultra-Orthodox Community

The corona crisis has had serious economic repercussions for many households, including for members of Israel's ultra-Orthodox community. Survey findings indicate that while most of the ultra-Orthodox plan to cut back on their current expenditures, there are also quite a few households in which one of the spouses plans on increasing the scope of his or her employment, and in about one-fifth of the households- one of the spouses who has not previously worked, intends to now join the workforce.

Article

Coronavirus and Unemployment in Israel

Daphna Aviram Nitzan presents an analysis of unemployment in Israel in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Article

Protecting our Privacy: Alternatives to ISA Tracking

ISA's tracking of civilians is being discussed in the Knesset Subcommittee for Secret Services. As Israel is beginning to emerge from a state of emergency, less invasive alternatives should be adopted.

Op-ed

The Rotation Agreement — One State, Two Governments

The rotation mechanism agreed upon creates a governmental structure, unprecedented neither in Israel or anywhere else

Press Release

PM Under Indictment - A Dangerous Precedent

Allowing Netanyahu to form a government would constitute a conflict of interest and would result in a negative and irreversible precedent for the rule of law

Press Release

Most Israelis Trust Government Health Officials on Corona

IDI Coronavirus Survey finds that nearly half the population is pessimistic about Israel’s economic prospects

Press Release

Decade-Long High in Israelis' 'Sense of Belonging' 

Special IDI Independence Day survey 92.5% of Jewish-Israelis and 77% of Arab-Israelis feel a part of Israel and its problems.

 

Article

The Alternative Government

IDI researchers testified before the Knesset's Special Committee: Personal and retroactive changes should not be made to legislation regarding the Prime Minister's legal status

Op-ed

Two Hedgehogs and a Hydra

This is a familiar plague: rewriting the game rules of democracy to suit changing political circumstances has become the norm in Israel.

Op-ed

Fighting the Coronavirus is Impacting Our Privacy

Information is power. Governments and private entities that have access to vast troves of information have vast power.

Op-ed

Will the Coronavirus Defeat the Populism Epidemic?

The coronavirus is an international threat but will it stem the growth of populism around the world?

Article

Coalition Agreement – What to Expect Moving Forward

IDI President Yohanan Plesner held an online media briefing and Q&A session on the new coalition agreement between the Likud and Blue and White parties.

Op-ed

Coronavirus and Haredi and Arab Communities

In recent years, many comparisons have been made between two communities in Israel - the ultra-Orthodox and Arab Israelis. The coronavirus crisis has brought previously held assumptions into question.

Op-ed

Public Health and the Ultra-Orthodox Community in Israel

The lack of exposure to mainstream media outlets and the internet limits this community's access to Health Ministry instructions on the coronavirus.

Op-ed

The Yom Kippur of the Ultra-Orthodox

The tragic results of initial faulty advice from leading rabbis is a wake-up call to Haredi Jews to start making their own decisions.

Article

Israel's Democracy in the Time of Corona

IDI's management convened an online 'town hall' with Yohanan Plesner, Yuval Shany, Karnit Flug and Jesse Ferris to discuss the political, constitutional and economic fallout from the corona crisis, and IDI’s unique role in addressing it. 

Article

Ultra-Orthodox Society in Israel and the Coronavirus Pandemic

Dr. Gilad Malach held a press briefing focused on the coronavirus’ effect on the ultra-Orthodox in Israel and what might be the long term implications for employment, use of technology and the attitude towards official state authorities in this often isolated community.

Press Release

Zoom's Scandalous Privacy Policy

IDI Expert Dr. Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler: "Now is the time for the appropriate regulatory authorities to act and protect the privacy of Zoom's users."

Article

Court Systems Worldwide During the Coronavirus

Israel is not the only country in which the court system has been curtailed, or had its activity modified, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Many countries are taking such measures, while at the same time striving to refrain from harming citizen's basic right of available access to courts.
Included are several examples from around the world.

The Coronavirus: Israel's Economy and Economic Policy

Prof. Karnit Flug's press briefing today focued on the Coronavirus’ effect on the Israeli economy and policies that could mitigate the damage inflicted by the pandemic.

Article

Curbing the Coronavirus Among the Ultra-Orthodox: Explainer

How can we curb the spread of the coronavirus in the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel? IDI experts explain

Press Release

Coronavirus Special Survey

Special Coronavirus survey by the Israel Democracy Institute takes the Israeli pulse on the impact of the Coronavirus finds that 40% of Israelis feel they are experiencing high levels of stress and 65% are worried about their financial future.

Israeli Voice Index

76% of Israelis are Afraid of Getting Coronavirus

The Israeli Voice Index for March 2020 found that 76% of Israelis are concerned that they or a family member will contract the coronavirus – up from 34% in February.

Op-ed

A Jumbo-Size Government? Now? Really?

Reports of a 30 to 34 minister cabinet in the works beg for a public outcry: Costly, inefficient and divisive is not what we need today.

Press Release

Limit the Number of Ministers and Deputies

In light of the Movement Towards a National Emergency Government: 30 Ministers Would be Excessive in Comparison to other Parliamentary Democracies; The cap on the number of ministers and their deputy minister should remain in place.

Op-ed

What Should we be Studying in Times of Corona?

We should take advantage of the opportunity that the coronavirus presents to improve our children's education.

Article

Surveillance During a Pandemic - International Comparison

Israel has authorized its secret services to carry out extensive surveillance of civilians in the battle against the Coronavirus. In most other democracies there is dedicated legislation to deal with information gathering during the epidemic. IDI's experts complied a comparative review.

Op-ed

Speaker of the Knesset's Resignation – What Happens Next?

Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Edelstein has resigned so as not to comply with the Supreme Court ruling to hold elections for a new speaker - what happens next? IDI’s Dr. Amir Fuchs explains

Press Release

Speaker of the Knesset's Resignation - Statement

Yohanan Plesner, President of the Israel Democracy Institute, reacted to the Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Edelstein's resignation

Article

A Unity Government to Deal with the Emergency?

Will the coronavirus crisis result in an unity government, which can, at least temporarily, resolve Israel's political deadlock? IDI experts explain.

Article

Parliaments Around the World

As the Knesset struggles to resume its work, IDI took a look at how parliaments around the world are putting into place processes and mechanisms that enable them to operate during the coronavirus pandemic so they can fulfill the vital role they play in democracies.

Op-ed

Don’t Manage a Crisis under Threat of Investigation

Calls for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry the day after the corona, in the midst of the crisis, can lead decision-makers to make decisions based on wrong considerations

Op-ed

Surveillance While the Coronavirus Pandemic is Raging

How is the coronavirus pandemic changing the way governments track their citizens? IDI expert takes a look around the world to see what policies countries are implementing.

Op-ed

Politics in a Time of Corona

Israel finds itself in an unprecedented political situation at a time it must face a worldwide pandemic.

Article

The Functioning of the Knesset during the Coronavirus Emergency

In this paper, we argue that in a public health emergency, such as the one we are experiencing now, when unprecedented means are being employed in the fight against COVID-19, the Knesset’s smooth functioning is even more essential, especially with regard to the need for strict and effective oversight of the government.

Op-ed

Surveillance of the Population: The Day after Corona

We must take advantage of the technological tools at our disposal to battle the coronavirus - without forfeiting our right to privacy

Op-ed

Virus and Democracy

Even a life-saving measure must be weighed against the threat it poses to democracy -- we do it all the time

Press Release

The Knesset Must Resume its Work Immediately

 

Just as in parliaments around the world - the Israeli Knesset must resume its work.

 

Article

The COVID-19 Crisis - Economic Impact and Economic Policies

What will be the economic ramifications of the coronavirus outbreak on the Israeli economy? Prof. Karnit Flug explains.

Press Release

Convene the Knesset Plenum Without Delay - IDI Statement

IDI Statement to Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein: Convene the Knesset Plenum without delay; failure to do so blatantly exceeds the bounds of your office and constitutes an unacceptable disregard for basic rules of democracy

Article

Coronavirus Crisis: Implications of ISA Tracking Citizens

The new regulations that allow the ISA to track citizens threatens our right to privacy, and set a dangerous precedent that could remain with us long after the COVID-19 crisis comes to an end

Article

COVID-19: Initial Survey Findings on Self-Employed Workers in Israel

As of the beginning of December 2020, 75% self-employed workers were working, though 45% were working only part-time. Only 29% were working the same number of hours as before the crisis.

Op-ed

Amendments to the Party Financing Law: A Classic Conflict of Interest

In a classic conflict of interests, the parties dip into the public coffers before every election, flouting any semblance of fiscal responsibility

Op-ed

Reimagining Education

COVID-19 is an opportunity to rethink education - and the success of a handful of teachers and students during the pandemic points the way forward to schooling that aligns with tomorrow's needs

Podcast

In God They Trust

Dr. Gilad Malach, Director of the Ultra-Orthodox in Israel Program at the Israel Democracy Institute, discusses how the COVID pandemic has affected the internal dynamics of Israel's Haredi communities, their relationship with their political leadership and with government as a whole.

 

Op-ed

The Haredi Fears Behind the Opening of Yeshviot Amid COVID-19

For many, the spiritual and educational dangers inherent in leaving large numbers of young people with no binding religious framework outweigh the health risks in keeping these institutions open

 

 

Press Release

Arab Students at Higher Risk - Survey

Upon the opening of the new academic year a special national survey conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute and the Aharon Institute for Economic Policy found 22% of Arab students are considering quitting or taking a break from their studies, compared to 10% of Jewish students.

Op-ed

Don’t Let the IDF Sink into the Coronavirus Quicksand

The decision to call in the IDF is dealing a double blow to the country - it is both ineffective and is damaging the public’s trust in the IDF

Op-ed

Violence against Protestors is the Result of a Deliberate Plan to Undermine the Police

Instead of waging war on protesters, the government should be battling the virus.

Op-ed

A Moment of Reckoning for the Education System

Israel is not adequately preparing its younger generation to be responsible citizens and must work now to improve its civics education curriculum.

Op-ed

Privacy Doesn’t Have to Die

Privacy doesn't have to be sacrificed in order to protect citizens from the coronavirus - it too must be protected