Israeli Pendulum: Elections Will End, But Conflict Will Worsen

The author, Alex Kushnir, argues that even a decisive election victory in Israel will not resolve the deep-seated internal conflicts that stem from differing visions of the state's identity and values. He describes this phenomenon as the "Israeli Pendulum," where one government implements policies, only for the next to reverse them, leading to instability and a decline in the ability to plan long-term. This cycle, he contends, is driven by each side attempting to impose its worldview on the other, rather than engaging in genuine compromise.

Kushnir dismisses the common solutions of either seeking electoral victory to impose one's values or pursuing compromise, stating that neither addresses the core issue: groups are unwilling to abandon their fundamental beliefs. He proposes a new approach focused not on achieving agreement on all issues, but on making the "value wars" unnecessary. This would involve creating a system that allows each group to live according to its values without imposing them on others or infringing on their freedoms.

He suggests that changing the system cannot be left solely to politicians or experts, as it requires public legitimacy. Kushnir advocates for a process starting with agreement on principles, leading to the development of a new system. This system should protect core values without coercion, incentivize economic responsibility and burden-sharing, and ensure a professional, effective, and long-term government serving all citizens. The proposed mechanism involves a council of experts chosen by Knesset factions to examine failures and propose alternatives, alongside a randomly selected citizens' assembly to study issues and provide feedback. Ultimately, the public would decide through a referendum, actively participating in shaping the system rather than merely approving a pre-selected solution.

Kushnir likens Israel to a train that has derailed, with the current debate focusing on who should drive rather than how to get back on track. He believes Israel is at a pivotal moment where the public must decide not just who leads, but the very rules by which the country operates. The choice, he concludes, is between continuing the cycle of the "Israeli Pendulum" or initiating a change in the system to build cohesion, not through erasing differences, but through establishing rules that allow the nation to function despite disagreements.