The Unprecedented Issue of Israeli Democracy

Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu’s place in history is now secure. He may not always be the longest-serving PM, but he will always be the first sitting PM to be indicted on criminal charges. It’s those corruption charges that many of his critics are saying are the motivation for his new judicial reforms - which aim to limit the power and independence of the Supreme Court, and make it harder for a Prime Minister to be ruled unfit for office. While Netanyahu may be motivated by self-preservation, it is also a bit more complicated than that - he also has to keep together a fragile coalition of the most right-wing, religious, and nationalist governments in Israel’s history, with partners who have their own reasons for disempowering the judiciary. Netanyahu may have postponed pushing through the controversial legislation - but the debate will return later this month. One Decision speaks to Shalom Lipner, who spent 26 years as an adviser in the PM’s office. He’s served under seven Prime Ministers including Netanyahu.