The ideological division is no longer between the "classic" Right and Left, but between the supporters of a Jewish state and the supporters of a state of all its citizens. And although many understand this, not all see that the effort to make Israel into a state of all its citizens is taking on a new form. If in the past such efforts focused on a discourse of democratization, today it is done through undermining that same democracy.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Already before the "revolution" of 1997, when the Likud won a plurality of seats, ending almost 30 years of left-wing rule, the Left claimed that the Right was "dangerous," because it was not democratic enough. Right-wing leaders were described as nationalists seeking the realization of messianic ideas. Menachem Begin was dubbed a "fascist," and Yitzhak Shamir a "terrorist," with both being portrayed as a threat to democracy.
The discourse in democracy, which is legitimate in its nature, turned into a sophisticated means to oppose Israel's Jewish character. The 1990s were the "golden age" of this trend, with the emergence of such organizations as the Israel Democracy Institute and the Movement for Quality Government.
The way Civics was taught in schools changed, special advisory groups were set up to introduce more democratic messages into the education system, and the Knesset Basic Law unified the law recognizing Israel as both a Jewish and democratic state. However, this was not enough. The ideas planted by the left-wing elite did not manifest politically as desired.
Still, the national camp succeeded in garnering the majority of the votes. Not only was the Law of Return not rescind, but the Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People was passed.
And in 2021, we see the emergence of a new trend: instead of encouraging democratization, anti-democratic practices aimed at curtailing the power of the national camp and changing the state's Jewish character are developing.
Firstly the criminalization and disregard for the importance of democratic institutions, such as party centers and primaries (especially those of the Likud).
Secondly, the emergence of discourse in governmental corruption, not as an empirical phenomenon, but as a kind of inherent trait of elected officials, which diminishes the value of them having been chosen through a democratic vote.
And lastly, the birth of "substantial democracy" and the further erosion of the status of the Knesset, by the expropriation of its powers by the judiciary, especially the Supreme Court of Justice.
One should only look at the trial of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the potential plea deal, in particular. It is the culmination of the transition from a discourse in democracy to undermine the Right, to taking steps to restrict democracy so as not to allow the majority of the people to vote for the leader.
The Left will either prevent Netanyahu from running for premiership again or annul the vote retrospectively through a legal procedure that will remove the elected from the democratic game. When the Right loses its essential ability to choose and be elected, the war against Israel becoming a state of its citizens will also be lost.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
