For decades, Israel has faced external threats that have united its people and strengthened the nation. However, in its 75th year, the country finds itself in the midst of a crisis that is entirely internal, posing a significant challenge to its cohesion. Unlike the past, this crisis does not originate from Arab neighbors, many of whom now share diplomatic ties with Israel, but rather from within the Jewish Israeli community. The question of how Jewish Israelis choose to live is now casting doubts on the very fabric of the nation.
Israel’s governmental structure, akin to its borders, is flexible and continuously evolving. Operating as a parliamentary democracy without a constitution, the Prime Minister holds a key position in the Knesset, the legislative body. Historically, the Supreme Court acted as the check on the government’s majority. However, a recent law passed on July 24 has granted the Knesset greater control over the court, preventing justices from overruling government actions. The controversial move, driven by the current right-wing government, has sparked 30 weeks of massive street protests, with no resolution in sight. Several factors are likely to shape the country’s future in the coming months.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s victory in the previous November elections necessitated the formation of a coalition inclusive of far-right parties. Some members of this coalition, considered on the fringes due to their extreme views, harbor deep resentment towards the Supreme Court. This resentment dates back to 2005 when the court supported the government’s removal of 8,000 settlers from the Gaza Strip. With a desire to expand Jewish control in the West Bank and growing animosity towards Arabs, including the Palestinian citizens who account for 20% of Israel’s population, the right-wing’s ideologies resonate with the 73% of young Israeli Jews who identify themselves as right-wing. The increase in this conservative stance has been attributed, in part, to the 2019 violence in Israeli cities with mixed Jewish and Arab populations. Time seems to be on the conservatives’ side, as younger demographics exhibit less liberal viewpoints.
Despite the majority of Israelis today being Mizrahi Jews, who trace their ancestry to the Middle East and other parts of North Africa, the country has historically been led by European or Ashkenazi Jews. This disparity has resulted in underrepresentation of the Mizrahi community, many of whom belong to the working class and hold strong religious beliefs. Prime Minister Netanyahu, who himself is Ashkenazi, has capitalized on the grievances of the Mizrahi population. A former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. noted in a recent op-ed that the protesters’ underlying objective is “to preserve the power lost at the polls by the Ashkenazi elite.”
While the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has often dominated international discourse, Israeli politics have largely overlooked the question of accommodating Palestinian aspirations for over a decade. The absence of a political outlet for Palestinians, coupled with the empowerment of militant settlers in the West Bank, has significant implications for the 3 million Palestinians living there.
Critics argue that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s affinity for leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán hints at his intentions for Israeli democracy. In addition, Arab kingdoms, once strong supporters of the Palestinian cause, now find common ground with Israel due to shared economic and security interests. Israel’s growing alliances serve as a counterweight to Western influence and demands in resolving the Palestinian issue.
The United States’ commitment to Israel’s security has numerous foundations, but its core rests on shared democratic values. Despite White House warnings against the July 24th vote, President Biden maintains his invitation for Netanyahu to visit the U.S. Furthermore, strong bipartisan support for Israel remains in Washington, along with the annual military aid of $3.8 billion.
The internal crisis in Israel is expected to endure for several months. The new law restricting the Supreme Court’s powers will undergo review in September, and further reforms may follow, potentially granting the Knesset influence in the appointment of jurists. Dissenters continue to seek outlets for their grievances, with thousands of IDF reservists, including fighter pilots, vowing to stand down in protest. Despite potential security concerns, Netanyahu remains unfazed, recognizing that, at present, an external threat is the likeliest catalyst for national unity.
Israel’s current internal crisis poses a significant threat to the nation’s unity and stability. With a right-wing ascent, internal divisions, an absence of Palestinian representation, alliances with illiberal partners, and scrutiny from global actors, the road ahead is complex. Only time will reveal the fate of Israel’s democracy and its ability to resolve the pressing issues that now divide the nation.
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