Historian Yuval Noah Harari warns of dictatorship in Israel

After another week of anti-government protests in Israel, our commentary comes from noted author and historian Yuval Noah Harari, who explains why he thinks Israel is at a tipping point – and why that's a concern for us all:

As a proud citizen of Israel, I am deeply concerned that my government is trying to establish a dictatorship.

Many dictatorships in history were established not by tanks firing in the streets, but by signing papers behind closed doors. By the time people understood what was happening, it was too late to resist.

To understand what is happening in Israel, you need to ask just one question: What limits the power of the government?

In the U.S.A., there is an entire system of checks and balances. In Israel, we have no constitution, no Senate, no federal structure, and no other check on the power of the central government, except one: the Supreme Court.

Now the government is trying to gain control of the Supreme Court. If it succeeds, there will be no mechanism that limits its power. Coalition members have already proposed numerous laws and regulations that discriminate against Muslims, Christians, women, LGBTQ people and secular people. They are only waiting to take control of the Supreme Court, and then they could unleash this dictatorial flood.

• Israel hit by huge protests as Netanyahu's judiciary overhaul moves forward
• Tens of thousands protest new far-right Israeli government in Tel Aviv
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says judicial system overhaul is an "internal matter" ("Face the Nation")

Also, with the Supreme Court neutralized, the government could easily rig the elections – for example, by denying Arab citizens voting rights, or by closing down all independent media outlets. Israel will still hold elections, just as Russia holds elections, but it will become a dictatorship.

This should be a grave concern, not just to Americans who care about democracy or about the Jewish people. The U.S.A. might soon have to deal with a new militaristic dictatorship in the Middle East, armed not only with nuclear capabilities, but also with advanced cyber-weapons able to strike anywhere in the world.

The people of Israel are struggling to save our democracy. Please, stand with us.

     
For more info:

• Yuval Noah Harari, Department of History, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
• ynharari.com
• Sapienship

     
Story produced by Robbyn McFadden. Editor: Emanuele Secci. 

In:
• Israel