The lame democracy in Israel
Hello Rabbi,
I stand embarrassed by the moves that have been taking place in the Knesset recently. Instead of a situation where Knesset members vote on laws according to the dictates of their personal conscience and according to the public that sent them, threats are being made behind the scenes that force the MKs to do what the Prime Minister requires of them – threats such as dismissal from committee leadership, coalition penalties, inability to introduce laws, and more. Is this called democracy??
I don’t understand how this is different from threatening a judge that if he rules against someone, his promotion will be delayed, or alternatively, that he will receive a quick promotion to a coveted position, this is bribery at its best!! And if this is the case with judges who only rule with discretion according to the law, what can be said about the legislative branch itself, the Knesset, which should create the laws according to which the judges will rule? In my opinion, there is a complete confusion here between the legislative branch and the executive branch (the government), when in practice the government almost completely controls the opinions of the members of Knesset in the coalition (especially Bibi, who is a champion at this), and no one opens their mouths or makes a peep.
Despite being among the supporters of legal reform, I wonder to myself, maybe this is why its opponents opposed it so much?
And maybe the solution is to hold double elections, for the government and for the Knesset, without the possibility of intervening between them?
What is the Rabbi’s opinion on the matter?
You raised two different problems here.
First is coalition discipline. This is a complex matter. Members of Knesset are not elected in elections. It is the party that is elected. Therefore, it is perhaps possible to justify discipline imposed on MKs on core issues.
The problem of government control in the Knesset is indeed a serious problem. In Israel, there are only two branches of government, not three: the executive and the judiciary. The legislature is completely controlled by the executive. I have written about this more than once, and explained that this is indeed one of the main problems with the reform, as it further weakens the only remaining weak branch of government besides the executive.
There are all kinds of solutions, and in order to formulate something definite, you have to invest thought, research, and inquiries, which I haven’t done.
I think that the current governmental situation, and the simmering tension between the two authorities we have left, threatens our existence much more than Hamas and Hezbollah combined. By the way, both authorities are to blame for it. Both are behaving in an outrageous manner.
I can't help but say that even if both authorities are guilty, one can be freed through elections (and if that doesn't happen, it's the voter's fault, not its fault). The other has positioned itself as an Israeli House of Lords, meaning it's stuck down our throats and does as it pleases.
This is absolutely true. But two comments: 1. The essence of the judge's role is not to be dependent on interests and choices. 2. The executive has enormous power and influence, immeasurably more than the judge. Therefore, balance requires her preference.
I don't see a solution to this except for cantonization. I don't understand why we don't all work towards dividing it into cantons? Why do we give up and say that it's not feasible? Each canton will send an equal number of people to the IDF in the various units, and if the Judea canton wants to divide it so that the Haredim are exempt, then they are happily invited to do so. Each canton will determine what to do with its taxes as it wishes (except for general words for security funding, which will also be divided equally, and here too, and if Judea wants to exempt the Haredim from paying taxes, then their choice is excellent). If in Switzerland, when the most pressing question is what to put on a pizza, there are cantons, Israel won't have them? Why do we give up on it? There is no democracy as polarized and culturally diverse as Israel (even more so than the United States, where there is significant decentralization across the states).
Because the prevailing perception is that even to decide on cantons, the current majority is needed. And if there is a majority for a cantonal decision, then there is no need for cantons and this majority will be able to solve the problems in simpler ways. This is in addition to the technical problems regarding the cantons of land distribution and the belonging of citizens and land resources to their canton.
It should be in everyone's interest. There is no way a democracy can exist with such great cultural and value diversity that it is not very decentralized. The situation in Israel is unparalleled. Cantons should be a national interest, everything has comprehensive solutions for the distribution of land. If necessary, then let Judah receive more land, just let them part as friends, that's all.
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