Israel Needs 'Thin Constitution' to Stabilize Governance Amidst War
A new call-up order for reservists highlights the disconnect between the sacrifices of Israelis and the nation's political instability, according to an article by Oral Yosef in collaboration with the JPPI Institute for the Policy of the Jewish People. The author argues that while reservists are asked to demonstrate "self-sacrifice" and live lives of constant disruption between combat and home, the public and political sphere fails to acknowledge this dedication, instead returning to the pre-war political conflicts.
Yosef criticizes the frequent and seemingly arbitrary amendments to Israel's Basic Laws, citing Professor Elyakim Rubinstein's observation that they are treated like minor municipal ordinances. He contends that the current political system is unable to handle the complexities of Israeli society, leading to constant crises and a breakdown of fundamental societal agreements. This instability, he argues, undermines the very nation that reservists are fighting to protect.
As a solution, Yosef proposes a "thin constitution." This would not address contentious issues of identity or religion but would instead establish agreed-upon rules for how disagreements are handled. The goal is to create a stable governmental framework that can manage Israeli disputes without threatening to dismantle the state. He draws on Machiavelli, suggesting that while hardship can make people diligent, laws and stable structures are necessary for leaders to act virtuously and for society to avoid chaos.
The article contrasts the efficiency of the military's bureaucratic systems in mobilizing reservists with the perceived disarray of the decision-making processes that lead to war. Yosef concludes that the "thin constitution" aims to restore faith in the state by providing a reliable governing structure, ensuring that no single faction can dominate and that the nation can withstand its internal and external challenges. This, he suggests, is the minimum required in return for the extraordinary sacrifices being made by reservists.
