Israel’s robust democracy

Israel’s robust democracy- Professor Kremnitzer

  •   Israel’s robust democracy: how to craft a legal and moral code around cherished values
  • 2/7/2013
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    On the evening of February 6th, San Francisco Jewish leadership gathered at the Consulate General of Israel to the Pacific Northwest for a special discussion on Israeli democracy. The gathering featured a presentation by Professor Mordechai Kremnitzer, Vice President of Research at the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI), Jerusalem, and the recent recipient of a €2.4 million grant from the European Research Council (ERC) for a groundbreaking proposal focussing on proportionality in public policy.

     

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    The talk was the first in a planned series of events on Israeli democracy initiated by the Israeli Consulate for the Bay Area. The project intends to examine the ways in which Israel conceives innovative approaches to a host of complex challenges, while staying true to its robust democracy, as it strives to secure a prosperous and sound future. 

    On the 5th February, the new Israeli parliament convened for the first time since elections. On the 22nd January, According to the Central Election Committee, 67.5% of Israelis exercised their right to vote. Voter turnout was the highest since 1999.
     
    Nearly half of the 19th Knesset seats (53 MKs) are new legislators, and the 19th  Knesset also holds the record for having the highest number of women, numbering 27 MKs. Thirteen of the house members are Arab and Druze. Who better to discuss the present challenges of the new Knesset and Israel’s future than leading thinkers from the IDI, which received the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement in 2009?

    Deputy Consul General Gideon Lustig welcomed the Israel Democracy Institute, a leading policy think tank, to San Francisco for their first event in partnership with the Consulate. Professor Kremnitzer was joined by Dr. Jesse Ferris, IDI Vice President of Strategy, and Lili Naveh, IDI West Coast Representative.

    After Dr. Ferris spoke about the broad agenda of the IDI, encompassing issues such as economic policy, counter-terrorism and Israel’s legal code, Professor Kremnitzer delivered an insightful presentation, which prompted thoughtful questions from the audience.

    Drawing upon psychological research, legal, political, ethical and military perspectives, Kremnitzer articulated the fine balance between interests and rights with which Israel’s decision-makers engage on a daily basis. He drew attention to the apolitical, independent nature of Israel’s Supreme Court, in contrast with the U.S. judicial structure; the rigorous efforts of the Israel Defence Forces to live up to their definition as the most moral army in the world (by actions which give primacy to human life, elevating moral considerations over legally sanctioned options if the latter do not satisfy their high standards) and the crafting of a written constitution for Israel which accommodates the strategic challenges it faces in the 21st century. 

    He also highlighted the strong influence of judicial review in assessing and evolving Israel’s counter-terror strategy, praising both the Supreme Court and the IDF not only for the rulings and precedents which it has proclaimed, but also for how they put recommendations into practice, constantly searching for the best interpretation on a case by case basis.

    Crucially, the Professor noted, Israel learns from its experience to consistently reform its policies in accordance with the vision of a model democracy.
    Professor Kremnitzer conveyed a profound optimism-reflected by the atmosphere of open debate, critical thinking, self-scrutiny and the high standards to which Israel adheres-that it would successfully negotiate the varied challenges it faces in the future, preserving its vibrant democracy.



    See our website for future events in this series.


     
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