Israel’s democracy under stress

Israel bypassed its fourth election in less than two years. In search of political stability, Israel continues facing a crisis in finding a leader who can form a coalition government. It is only the Likud party that has 30 seats out of 120 seats. The rest 13 parties hold only a single-digit seat. Likud party, the party’s leader Netanyahu lost his magic wand to make a stable government.

The Likud party could have been in a better position if its coalition with other smaller parties. A single-party majority is a mirage in Israel. Yet, Netanyahu doesn’t accept any form of alliance with other parties with similar ideologies. Also, parties led by other majorities such as Yair Lapid, Benny Gantz, or Gideon Sa’ar opposed him because he is the first Israeli Prime Minister on trial for three criminal charges. There is a week spot in the constituency the Prime Minister does not have to resign when charged in court. But any other officials like President has to step down. The loophole in the constituency gave Netanyahu a long stand in the democracy. Once, it was Mr. Netanyahu who could form a strong government, but now he has become the dividing gesture in Israel politics. The past four elections have thrown Israel have been cornered with a new set of electoral politics. Frequent election, a phenomenon that exposed Israel’s internal weakness. Societal cleavage and cultural divisions have resulted in offensive politics. A destructive war with Hezbollah and Iran’s nuclear section are the major two threats to Israel’s national security. The other major threat is the internal disintegration of Israel’s society, leading to the loss of its social cohesion.

Israel has certainly been the most functioned democracy in the region throughout its history. but now, it failed to form a stable government.

The following are some of the reasons for its failure in democracy.

1. The major could be the poor government functioning, political culture, and in particular civil liberties.
2. Israel also maintains a military occupation on which millions of people live while denying those people the right to vote.
3. It also encourages populism.
4. The internal disintegration of Israel’s society leading to the loss of its social cohesion and its identity as a Jewish and democratic state.
5. The failure in democracy is strongly proved as the Israeli voters have no direct access to Knesset members.
6. The voter participation declined when the economy liberalized and the private sector expanded tremendously.
7. Since 2019 neither Benjamin Netanyahu nor his opponents have been able to win enough seats in parliament to form a coalition government with a state majority.

The internal dispute in Israel is a wake-up call for Indian democracy. Few Indians look up to Israel’s military model, how they carry out surgical strikes, national security? But that model won’t serve India in the long run as India has social cohesion and common values.

This article is for educational purpose, not meant to hurt anyone!!!

Originally published at https://weekendblogbydk.blogspot.com on April 7, 2021.