It’s ‘false’ to say Israeli democracy is under attack, according to the Knesset’s new Canadian member

In a relatively short time, Dan Illouz went from being a McGill University law student to sitting in Israel’s Knesset as a member of the ruling Likud government. The son of Moroccan immigrants to Montreal, Illouz moved to Israel 13 years ago. Since then, he has held political jobs and also served as a Jerusalem city councillor before taking his seat in the Knesset after Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud won the most recent election. Among his stances, Illouz supports the government’s current efforts to reform the power of the Israeli courts—which have prompted mass street protests in Israeli cities, evoked concern among many Jewish groups in the Diaspora and even brought stern warnings from political allies, including Canada. The rookie MK—who turns 37 on Tuesday, Feb. 21—views the protests more as a “disagreement” among friends, and condemns those who say the reforms will make Israel less democratic. Illouz joins The CJN Daily from his office in Jerusalem to explain.

What we talked about:

• Read more about Dan Illouz on the Knesset website
• Why Illouz campaigned for former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper in 2015
• How Dan Illouz was deeply touched by a 2008 terrorist attack on a yeshiva in Israel

The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Zachary Kauffman is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. We’re a member of The CJN Podcast Network. To subscribe to this podcast, please watch this video. Donate to The CJN and receive a charitable tax receipt by clicking here.