Israeli Democracy in Action

Despite the tumultuous events of the past several months, glimmers of hope have emerged. During protests in the past 48 hours, opposing members of the debate have personified the very essence of democracy. They’ve demonstrated a yearning for unity and relayed expressions of love for one another as they shook hands on escalators traveling in opposing directions. 

Where in the world do you see political opponents saying to one another “I love you, brother,” amidst a nation’s most contentious and polarizing debate in history? Nowhere, really.  

Whether you believe that the partial abolition of the Reasonableness doctrine is a triumph or a tragedy, Israel’s democracy will continue to thrive so long as its citizens can express themselves freely and peacefully while continuing to debate. The path forward is unity—not uniformity. Bringing conflicting voices together through robust dialogue is key to hashing out differences. This is a universal principle applying not only to Israel—but to all countries, communities or relationships. 

Israel’s commitment to democratic principles of constructive criticism and healthy debate stand as a shining example—a beacon of hope and inspiration for other countries seeking to uphold and strengthen their own democracies. May it continue to do so. 

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Sources: i24 news, American Jewish Committee, Jewish Breaking News, The Timesof Israel, The New York Times