Israeli Elections Defined by Governance, Not Left vs. Right
Translated & summarized from Zman Yisrael by baba
Upcoming Israeli elections are framed as a contest over the nature of governance and democracy, not the traditional left-right divide. The ruling coalition's "legal reforms" are seen as undermining judicial independence, while the opposition pledges to repeal them. Significant differences also exist on religion and state, with the coalition expanding religious influence and the opposition advocating for Haredi military conscription. Both blocs largely oppose a Palestinian state, making the core debate about democratic institutions and the rule of law.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israeli elections are defined by governance and democracy debates, not the traditional left-right political spectrum.
- The ruling coalition's "legal reforms" are criticized for weakening judicial independence and concentrating power.
- The opposition bloc aims to repeal the "legal reforms" and uphold democratic checks and balances.
- Differences between the blocs are stark on religion and state, and Haredi military conscription.
- Both major blocs largely oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state in the near future.
- A majority of Israelis, including Likud voters, support Haredi military conscription and religious freedom.
Upcoming Israeli elections are not a contest between the traditional left and right, but rather a debate over the nature of the state's governance and its democratic character. While both major political blocs hold similar stances on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and security, significant differences emerge in their approaches to liberal democracy, the rule of law, separation of powers, and the integration of the ultra-Orthodox into national service.
The coalition government, led by Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, has pursued a "legal reform" agenda that critics argue undermines judicial independence and concentrates power in the executive branch. This includes changes to the Judicial Selection Committee, allowing the government to appoint judges without judicial consent, and legislation that enables ministers to override the Attorney General's legal opinions. These moves have led international organizations like V-Dem to downgrade Israel's democratic status from "liberal democracy" to "electoral democracy."
In contrast, the opposition bloc, referred to as the "change bloc," has pledged to repeal these reforms and re-establish checks and balances. Their platform emphasizes upholding the rule of law and maintaining the separation of powers. While many in the opposition are self-identified right-wingers, their focus is on preserving democratic institutions.
On the issue of religion and state, the current coalition has expanded the influence of religion in civil life, increasing funding for Haredi education and religious services, and advancing legislation that could further entrench religious law. The opposition aims to halt this trend and advocates for the conscription of Haredi men into the military, a stance supported by a significant majority of the public, including many Likud voters.
Despite the Likud party's slogan "Either Right or Palestine," the article argues that the core differences between the blocs do not lie in their approach to the Palestinian issue. Most parties in the change bloc, including self-identified right-wingers like Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman, publicly oppose a Palestinian state in the foreseeable future. Similarly, Gadi Eisenkot has stated that a Palestinian state will not be established under his leadership. The real divergence is on domestic issues concerning democratic norms and the role of religion in society.
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