Current:Home > InvestHistorian Yuval Noah Harari warns of dictatorship in Israel-InfoLens
Historian Yuval Noah Harari warns of dictatorship in Israel
View Date:2024-12-23 14:17:44
After another week of anti-government protests in Israel, our commentary comes from noted author and historian Yuval Noah Harari, who explains why he thinks Israel is at a tipping point – and why that's a concern for us all:
As a proud citizen of Israel, I am deeply concerned that my government is trying to establish a dictatorship.
Many dictatorships in history were established not by tanks firing in the streets, but by signing papers behind closed doors. By the time people understood what was happening, it was too late to resist.
To understand what is happening in Israel, you need to ask just one question: What limits the power of the government?
In the U.S.A., there is an entire system of checks and balances. In Israel, we have no constitution, no Senate, no federal structure, and no other check on the power of the central government, except one: the Supreme Court.
Now the government is trying to gain control of the Supreme Court. If it succeeds, there will be no mechanism that limits its power. Coalition members have already proposed numerous laws and regulations that discriminate against Muslims, Christians, women, LGBTQ people and secular people. They are only waiting to take control of the Supreme Court, and then they could unleash this dictatorial flood.
- Israel hit by huge protests as Netanyahu's judiciary overhaul moves forward
- Tens of thousands protest new far-right Israeli government in Tel Aviv
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says judicial system overhaul is an "internal matter" ("Face the Nation")
Also, with the Supreme Court neutralized, the government could easily rig the elections – for example, by denying Arab citizens voting rights, or by closing down all independent media outlets. Israel will still hold elections, just as Russia holds elections, but it will become a dictatorship.
This should be a grave concern, not just to Americans who care about democracy or about the Jewish people. The U.S.A. might soon have to deal with a new militaristic dictatorship in the Middle East, armed not only with nuclear capabilities, but also with advanced cyber-weapons able to strike anywhere in the world.
The people of Israel are struggling to save our democracy. Please, stand with us.
For more info:
- Yuval Noah Harari, Department of History, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- ynharari.com
- Sapienship
Story produced by Robbyn McFadden. Editor: Emanuele Secci.
- In:
- Israel
veryGood! (1)
Related
- Dick Van Dyke says he 'fortunately' won't be around for Trump's second presidency
- Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza & Wings parent company BurgerFi files for bankruptcy
- Election 2024 Latest: Harris concentrates on Pennsylvania while Trump stumps in the West
- All the songs Gracie Abrams sings on her Secret of Us tour: Setlist
- Mike Tyson impresses crowd during workout ahead of Jake Paul fight
- Ex-Massachusetts lawmaker convicted of scamming pandemic unemployment funds
- Father of slain Ohio boy asks Trump not to invoke his son in immigration debate
- Nebraska AG alleges thousands of invalid signatures on pot ballot petitions and 1 man faces charges
- About Charles Hanover
- Disney-DirecTV dispute extends into CFB Week 3, here's the games you could miss
Ranking
- Veterans face challenges starting small businesses but there are plenty of resources to help
- Takeaways from AP’s story about a Ferguson protester who became a prominent racial-justice activist
- Dolphins will bring in another quarterback, while Tagovailoa deals with concussion
- Texas leads push for faster certification of mental health professionals
- Katherine Schwarzenegger Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Chris Pratt
- Schools reopen with bolstered security in Kentucky county near the site of weekend I-75 shooting
- Boat sinks during search for missing diver in Lake Michigan
- Tua Tagovailoa suffers concussion in Miami Dolphins' game vs. Buffalo Bills
Recommendation
-
Caitlin Clark's gold Nike golf shoes turn heads at The Annika LPGA pro-am
-
Driver charged with killing NHL’s Johnny Gaudreau and his brother had .087 blood-alcohol level
-
'I am going to die': Colorado teen shot in face while looking for homecoming photo spot
-
Katy Perry Reveals Her and Orlando Bloom's Daughter Daisy Looks Just Like This Fictional Character
-
Reese Witherspoon's Daughter Ava Phillippe Introduces Adorable New Family Member
-
How Today’s Craig Melvin Is Honoring Late Brother Lawrence
-
Actor Chad McQueen, son of Steve McQueen, dies at 63
-
McDonald's $5 Meal Deal staying on the menu in most markets until December