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...

The Knesset passed the Death Penalty for Terrorists Law (Hebrew) on March 30, 2026. The law, which violates the right to life and is directed solely against Palestinians, was vigorously promoted by coalition parties, chiefly Otzma Yehudit, headed by Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, as well as by the opposition party Yisrael Beiteinu. The law was passed by a majority of 62 out of 120 Members of Knesset (MKs), with 48 opposing. As soon as the law was enacted, human rights...

In recent months, the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee has been discussing the Bill to Split the Role of the Attorney General – 2025 (Hebrew), initiated by the Committee Chair, MK Simcha Rothman. The bill seeks to divide the position of Attorney General into two: an Attorney General and a Chief Prosecutor. The bill also proposes a slew of structural changes that significantly erode the independence of the legal advisory and law enforcement systems. Among other things, the bill shifts...

Although freedom of expression and freedom of protest are fundamental rights enshrined in Israeli and international law, in recent years attempts to restrict the space for protest against the occupation and against government policies have intensified. Curtailing freedom of expression and protest narrows the civic space and enables continued human rights violations in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and inside Israel, without scrutiny or constraints. Even in times of emergency or war, the State...

Advancing legislation to restrict human rights organizations’ operations The government has been promoting The Associations Bill (Amendment – Donation from Foreign State Entity) - 2024 since February 2025. In its original version, the bill sought to tax donations received by Israeli nonprofit organizations from foreign governments or official state institutions at a rate of 80% and to divest the courts of jurisdiction to hear petitions filed by organizations whose primary funding comes from...