Democracy Isn’t All

Democracy is often perceived as the rule of the majority. However, this simplistic interpretation can become perilous when taken at face value, devoid of safeguards. Lynching stands as a stark illustration — an act that might arise from the majority’s will, but which infringes upon an individual’s fundamental rights. In this setting, the majority wields power, but this power is unchecked and unregulated.

History is teeming with instances where the majority, swayed by prejudice, ignorance, or fleeting passions, made decisions detrimental to minorities or even the broader common good. Hence, it’s crucial to grasp that democracy, when left unchecked, can morph into the tyranny of the majority.

As we turn our gaze to the evolving dynamics of the Middle East, especially Israel, it becomes clear that our understanding of ‘majority’ is in flux. The demographic dance of the region, informed by governmental statistics and population projections from 2022, unveils a future where today’s majorities might soon become tomorrow’s minorities.

By 2042, the Haredi community will account for 16% of the population. Israeli Arabs will represent 12%. Palestinians will see their numbers rise to a formidable 31%. However, secular Jews, in 50 years by 2072, will constitute only 26.6% of the population, transitioning into a minority in the country.

As a left-leaning secular Jew in my 60s, the Israel of both the near and distant future concerns me deeply. I might witness the immediate, but by 2072, it’s the world of my descendants, and yours, that preoccupies my thoughts.

Egoistically, I’d prefer the constitution to be crafted now. At this juncture, secular Judaism still holds dominance, and the demographic window is open, but not in our favor. If we don’t arrive at a national consensus on this matter, we run the risk of our descendants inhabiting a nation that might still bear the name Israel, but certainly won’t be the Israel envisioned by our founding fathers.

Crafting a constitution for any nation is a Herculean task, demanding a balance between tradition, modernity, and the myriad nuances of cultural and religious identity. In Israel, this endeavor acquires added intricacy due to the profound interplay between religion and state.

Religious Jews view life through the lens of the Torah, a compilation of laws and narratives that have shaped Jewish identity for millennia. For them, this forms the bedrock of their identity, an unwavering moral compass in an ever-evolving world. Any attempt to draft a constitution that might, in some way, contradict or reinterpret these sacred laws could be met with suspicion or resistance.

On the other hand, we, secular Jews, who don’t necessarily base all our life choices on religious laws, might have a broader perspective. We might see the need for a constitution as a way to ensure equal rights for all, irrespective of their religious or ethnic background, especially in a modern state.

Ideally, drafting a constitution for Israel would require collaboration between both these groups. The key would be open and respectful dialogue, where both sides acknowledge the importance and validity of the other’s perspective. Ultimately, a constitution is more than just a set of rules; it reflects a nation’s values and aspirations. And in a nation as diverse and multifaceted as Israel, it’s paramount that this constitution is forged in the crucible of collaboration and mutual respect.