Israel's Liberal Democracy Eroding, Threatening Women's Rights
Translated & summarized from Zman Yisrael by baba
Israel has been downgraded to an "electoral democracy" from a "liberal democracy" by the V-Dem Institute, signaling a weakening of institutions that protect individual rights, including those of women. Recent incidents in Bnei Brak and at natural springs show how legal interventions have been necessary to prevent gender segregation. Upcoming legislative changes, including allowing religious courts to handle civil disputes and altering the judicial appointment process, are expected to further weaken protections. International examples from Poland and Turkey illustrate how democratic backsliding can negatively impact women's rights.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel's status downgraded to "electoral democracy" by V-Dem Institute, raising concerns for women's rights.
- Legal interventions were required to halt gender segregation initiatives in Bnei Brak and at natural springs.
- New laws may allow religious courts to handle civil disputes and weaken the Attorney General's authority.
- Changes to judicial appointments are expected to politicize the courts, potentially impacting rights.
- International examples from Poland and Turkey show democratic backsliding harming women's rights.
Israel's status as a liberal democracy has been downgraded to an electoral democracy, according to the V-Dem Institute's 2026 report, a decline that raises concerns for women's rights. The report indicates a weakening of institutions that limit government power, which are crucial for upholding individual rights and equality. These institutions, including the legal advisory system and the judiciary, are facing significant changes that could further undermine protections for women.
Recent events highlight these challenges. In Bnei Brak, signs mandating gender segregation on sidewalks were only removed after the Attorney General's office intervened, following a request from a former Knesset member. The city initially supported the segregation, but later claimed it was not official policy. Similarly, a pilot program for segregated bathing hours at natural springs was halted due to the Attorney General's opinion that the Nature and Parks Authority lacked the legal authority to impose such restrictions without explicit legislation.
These incidents underscore the critical role of checks and balances in safeguarding rights. The article cites international research showing a correlation between democratic backsliding and a decline in gender equality. When institutions meant to oversee and restrain government power are weakened, the tools protecting less represented groups also diminish.
Further legislative changes, such as a new arbitration law allowing civil disputes to be resolved by religious courts, are also a cause for concern. Critics argue this law, which bypasses judicial review, could disadvantage vulnerable parties, particularly women, and that religious courts are inherently biased against women. The government's ability to disregard the Attorney General's legal opinions, a change set to take effect in January 2027, and alterations to the judicial appointments committee are also seen as significant threats to the rule of law and individual rights.
International examples from Poland and Turkey illustrate how democratic backsliding can negatively impact women's rights. In Poland, changes to the judicial system led to a ruling that severely restricted abortion access. In Turkey, the withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, aimed at combating violence against women, coincided with an increase in femicides. These cases demonstrate how weakening democratic institutions and concentrating power can erode protections for women, even if the laws themselves are not explicitly repealed.
Mentioned
