Articles

The Israel Democracy Institute's annual Security and Democracy Conference—taking place in the thick of Israel’s longest conflict since its War of Independence—focused on the key challenges Israel faces as a democracy contending with complex internal and external security threats.

A special survey assessing public opinion on matters of national security, presented at IDI's annual conference on Security and Democracy. The survey found support for a mandatory draft, and significant economic penalties for those who do not serve.

Physical reconstruction and addressing emergency needs are helpful, but to really make a difference post-Oct. 7 donors should focus on improving Israeli governance and civil society

The Center for Security and Democracy and the Viterbi Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research at the Israel and personal security—the present release focuses on internal security; a press release will follow tomorrow focusing on national security.

The recently proposed bill runs counter to accepted budgeting principles and undermines the autonomy of local governance. 

After more than a year of fighting on various fronts, it can now be clearly stated that Arab localities in Israel are suffering from a lack of protective structures. In order to meet its responsibilities toward the residents of Arab localities, the state must provide protective structures—immediately, and without delay.

Israelis are deeply divided on how to move forward in the conflict in Lebanon. While 54% of Jewish Israelis support continued fighting against Hezbollah, 88% of Arab Israelis are in favor of pursuing a diplomatic solution.

At first glance, the dismissal of Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant is not unprecedented – prime ministers hold authority to fire ministers, and Prime Minister Netanyahu has done so in the past. However, the circumstances surrounding the current dismissal are especially intense.

The Israel Democracy Institute mourns the loss of its founder and International Chair, Bernard (Bernie) Marcus of blessed memory.

IDI conducted a short survey on the Israeli public opinions in relation to the upcoming elections for president in the US. Who do Israelis prefer, Harris or Trump? These are the results.

The Police Commissioner's decision to terminate the Israel Police Legal Advisor without consulting the Attorney General to whom the Police Lega Advisor is professionally subordinate the most recent worrying sign of the problematic relations between the Attorney General and various government officials.

 A survey of daycare subsidies in Israel and recommendations for improved criteria that would encourage participation in the labor market among the ultra-Orthodox. 

An analysis of the effects of the war on employment within Israel's Arab population. 

Establishing a State Commission of Inquiry is the civic, moral, and public duty at the highest order. And it must be done now.

IDI experts Prof. Amichai Cohen and Prof. Yuval Shany analyze the legality of the September explosions targeting Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies through three legal frameworks: the right to use force, principles of distinction and proportionality, and the legality of employing these devices under laws regulating choice of weapons. 

Prof. Cohen and Prof. Shany discuss three possible rationales for the ICJ's rejection of Israel’s security concerns and offer a few final observations on the appropriate balance that should hold between security considerations and continued presence in occupied territories.

It is increasingly clear that Israel’s future depends on the forging of two coalitions. One is a multinational alliance determined to turn the Palestinian issue from a driver of conflict into an engine of peace. The other, is an internal Israeli coalition ready to pursue a series of bold social, economic, and political reforms.

A public opinion survey marking the first anniversary of the October 7th attacks and one year into the "Iron Swords" war.

A recent judgment of the Israeli Supreme Court held that conditions in a notorious detention center must comply with Israeli law.

Jewish Israelis are broadly united (90%) in their belief that launching an in-depth offensive against Hezbollah is the correct move, while the largest share of Arab Israelis (47%) think it was not. A large majority of Israelis, over 70%, think both the IDF and Israel's civilian population would be able to withstand an extended war on two or more fronts.

Moody's downgrading of Israel's credit rating was hardly unexpected, but given at this irregular time and the continued negative outlook it represents an extremely unusual step. It reflects Moody's assessment that geopolitical risks have increased sharply for the short and long terms. 

Recently, Israel has faced a number of situations that could lead to a constitutional crisis. What is a constitutional crisis and why is it dangerous for the stability of democracy? IDI experts explain.

The diminished number of women in decision-making positions in government, coupled with the increase in attempts to implement gender segregation, threatens the right to equality.

How is the Chief Justice in Israel selected, what is the principle of seniority and how does this compare internationally? Dr. Guy Lurie explains the roles and responsibilities of the Chief Justice, an issue that is currently at the heart of a dispute between the Minister of Justice and the Courts.

The "Fake or Not" initiative emerged after the outbreak of the "Iron Swords" war, from an understanding of the need to emphasize media literacy in educational and social institutions.

To protect the credibility of the police as an impartial law enforcement agency, independent oversight over the police prosecution unit - the police unit that issues criminal charges - must be increased through the Attorney General's office.

The Israeli Supreme Court recently issued a pivotal ruling, instructing the Minister of Justice to convene the Judicial Selection Committee and select a new President of the Supreme Court. This decision come after nearly a year in which this permanent position has remained vacant. 

The education system is one of the primary arenas for addressing the challenges of tomorrow. Given that Israel's education system has children from different backgrounds going to different schools, addressing these challenges is particularly difficult.