The increasingly harsh government tactics in Israel exemplifies the negative political change occurring. This is shown through laws implemented by the right-wing side of the government. For example, the government has gotten away with passing nongovernmental organization (NGO) and expulsion laws by making their own justifications that they are aimed at increasing transparency and symbolic intimidation, when in reality they single out minorities and spur more public dissent (Waxman 360-361). There is also an increasing amount of loyalty to the state required, regardless of the means of enforcing it, to ensure the government's power. However, this has only increased tensions between different groups and demonstrates how even though Israel still calls itself a democracy, their changing policies make this uncertain (Waxman 361). Furthermore, the Jewish majority government, under Prime Minister Netanyahu, is becoming even less merciful as it continues to destroy Arab homes and towns and refuse to recognize them with orders from the state (Odeh). Legislation has been implemented to specifically allow Jews to legally settle on more Palestinian territory and force them out. This moves the government and the people farther away from the possibility of a peaceful two state solution. Many people believe that these laws undermine their country as one of law and order and decreases their future ability to defend their country (Fisher). These changes are extremely significant for the future of Israel because a loss of the government's praised democracy amidst other conflicted countries in the Middle East would be disastrous for not only their own country, but nearby countries and allies as well.
The need for improvement of Israeli democracy can also be seen through the state's degrading society. The outstanding social problem is the mistreatment of the minority Arab Palestinians by the Jewish majority government. The problem is only getting worse now that Palestinian discrimination has become essential to Prime Minister Netanyahu's agenda. Keeping Palestinian areas unrecognized and under a constant threat from the government of being demolished is his method of staying in power. The Arab resident of these towns have come up with compromise solutions but the government has only shot them down. They continue to destroy illegally built buildings outside of Arab territory, knowing that many Arabs have no other option but to build them since they are being forced out of their legal homes (Odeh). These social aspects are very significant because it draws into question the legitimacy of the Israel democracy due to the cruelty expressed towards certain groups. True democracies fairly incorporate all citizens into the government, and the severe treatment towards the Arabs does not hold up this aspect of democracy.
All of the internal forces pushing Israel away from democracy also contribute to the shifting international policies. To start, one of Israel's biggest allies, the United States has always supported Israel in the Middle East, primarily due to their democracy. With the deteriorating conditions of the democracy, this may not be so assured in their future. However, this is not concrete because things are shifting in other countries as well. With the recent change in the president of the United States from Barrack Obama to Donald Trump, their relations may possibly change in regards to Israel. The Jewish majority government originally expected to have more leeway under President Trump than they did under Obama, who was extremely against Jewish settlements (Fisher). This is partially because it has been observed that President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu are using a similar tactic of power through hate and fear (Odeh). However this new hope for support is uncertain since Trump has expressed that thinks settlements are detrimental to his interest in establishing a deal with the Palestinians in the future. Furthermore, the support that Britain originally gave to the Jews and settlements after the Balfour Declaration is now questionable. When Prime Minister Netanyahu met with Prime Minister Theresa May of Great Britain, she said that the declaration was over a century ago and they now want to stay committed to a two-state solution because they believe it will ensure stability, peace, and prosperity for the future (Fisher). All of these international considerations are extremely significant for Israel's future of foreign policy. Based on the uncertainty of support from many countries, they may not have the means to defend themselves in the future or acquire the help to do so.
In essence, the changes in the government, society, and global policies heed an uncertain future for Israel. The presence of more legislative corruption, increasing Arab discrimination, and shifting international policies all show that Israeli democracy is declining, and with each step, it becomes farther away from the possibility of a commendable peaceful solution.
Works Cited
New York Times, New York Times Company, 6 Feb. 2017,
www.nytimes.com/2017/02/06/world/middleeast/israel-settlement-law-
palestinians-west-bank.html_r=1. Accessed 19 May 2017.
Odeh, Ayman. “Israel Bulldozes Democracy.” International New York Times, 11 Feb.
2017. Global Issues in Context. Accessed 14 May 2017.
Waxman, Dov. “Is Israeli Democracy in Danger?” Current History, vol. 115, no. 785,
Dec. 2016, pp.360-62.
Very well done!
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