As Israel marks its 75th anniversary, the nation faces an unprecedented internal crisis driven by political divisions and the struggle over the state’s future.
A Remarkable History
Israel, established in 1948, has overcome numerous challenges throughout its history. The country has continually emerged stronger from military threats and economic difficulties to diplomatic isolation. The IDF has successfully repelled attacks from Arab nations, while Israel’s economy has transformed from rationing and poverty to a powerhouse in technology and innovation. Diplomatically, Israel has made strides, signing peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan and normalizing relations with other nations in the region.
The Growing Divide
Despite these accomplishments, Israel’s recent political developments have caused widespread unrest. Following the election of Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister for a record term, his Justice Minister, Yariv Levin, initiated a controversial plan to reshape Israel’s judicial system. The proposed changes would transfer control over judicial appointments to the Knesset and significantly reduce the Supreme Court’s right to judicial review.
Many Israelis, including those on the left, right, and center, view these reforms as a threat to democracy, fearing they would transform Israel into an illiberal democracy similar to Poland or Hungary. Public protests have erupted, with thousands taking to the streets, disrupting traffic, and even leading some reserve IAF pilots to refuse their duties.
Economic and Diplomatic Repercussions
The proposed judicial reforms have alarmed international observers and triggered economic consequences. Leading economists and financial institutions like Bloomberg and Moody’s have downgraded Israel’s ratings, while the Biden administration has voiced its concerns. Israeli tech companies have begun moving their assets abroad, threatening the country’s technological dominance.
A Nation at Odds
Two opposing camps have emerged as Israel faces its most significant internal crisis. One camp, primarily composed of European (Ashkenazi) secular, middle-to-upper-class individuals, sees itself as defending the democratic values of the state. The other camp, consisting of more religious Levantine (Mizrahi) individuals from Muslim lands, views the proposed changes as an opportunity to redress historical grievances and restore religious Judaism to the center of Israeli life.
The rift between these two groups threatens to deepen further, with the potential for violence growing as tensions escalate. Both celebration and concern will mark Israel’s 75th anniversary as the nation’s future hangs in the balance.