Outgoing Israeli Knesset Passes 28 Laws Undermining Democracy, Report Finds
The 25th Knesset, which dissolved recently after completing its term, is remembered as one of the most challenging legislative periods in Israel, not only due to the events of October 7 but primarily because of the coalition's aggressive legislative agenda. After a brief pause during the war, the coalition accelerated the passage of laws that critics say harmed democracy, the judicial system, the media, and ordinary citizens.
A new analysis by lawyers Anat Tahon Ashkenazi and Dafni Benbenisti from the Israel Democracy Institute, published for the first time in Calcalist, reveals that during this Knesset term, 265 legislative initiatives were introduced or promoted. Of these, 90 were actively advanced, resulting in the approval of 28 laws deemed damaging to democratic principles, with nine more set to carry over to the next term. Additionally, 51 bills await first reading, 149 were introduced but never advanced beyond preliminary stages, and 26 damaging bills were halted.
Among the 28 approved laws, eight infringed on equality rights, five on fair trial rights, five on freedom of expression and protest, three on freedom of religion and conscience, three on privacy rights, two on human dignity, and one on the right to life. Furthermore, three laws negatively affected the judiciary, legal counsel, and police, three impacted the media, and two affected education and academia.
Tahon Ashkenazi and Benbenisti emphasize that the democratic erosion is cumulative, reflecting a shift in the balance of power among branches of government and weakening democratic checks and balances. They argue that restoring democracy requires more than repealing laws; it demands strengthening institutional independence, enshrining clear constitutional rules, and safeguarding fundamental rights.
Their study also highlights that the democratic backslide extended beyond the judiciary, affecting public service independence, media regulation, civil society, parliamentary oversight, and minority rights. Many harms resulted from a combination of legislative, administrative, and policy measures that collectively undermined democratic norms. Independent institutions like courts, legal advisors, academia, and the media played a crucial role in identifying and slowing these trends, underscoring their importance under pressure.
