Overview

Over the past decade, and especially under Israel’s 37th government (its latest), the defining features of a democracy: separation of powers, effective and equal systems of government and law enforcement, a free press and an active civil society, have come under attack and been weakened and undermined. Meanwhile, the government is working to strengthen its own powers and to politicize systems whose independence is essential for good governance, such as the judicial appointment process, the role of the Attorney General, the role of the Civil Service Commissioner and others.

Additionally, the State and its authorities have been backsliding on their commitment to human rights, including the rights to life, human dignity, liberty, and equality. Advancing legislation to apply the death penalty, impunity for violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, selective enforcement, attempts to restrict the work of Israeli human rights organizations and activists, and curtailment of freedom of expression and protest likewise corrupt the principles that guide democratic rule and erode the space for civil resistance to the occupation.

For reports and updates, see the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) website: The Attack on Democracy, Freedom of Expression