Judicial Assault on Israel’s Democracy is a Warning to the Free World

Democracy thrives when the will of the people is respected, even amidst fierce political debate. But in Israel today, we are witnessing a concerted effort to overturn the democratic mandate given to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by millions of voters. This is not just a domestic political struggle; it’s a battle for the soul of democracy, with implications that resonate far beyond Israel’s borders.

A Popular Mandate Under Siege

Prime Minister Netanyahu has secured repeated electoral victories, earning the trust of millions of Israelis. In the last election, his coalition achieved a clear mandate, reflecting a robust democratic process. Yet, opponents of his leadership—spanning political rivals, elements within the judiciary, and media elites—seem unwilling to accept this outcome. Instead, they have sought to undermine his leadership through legal and institutional maneuvers that verge on undemocratic.

Consider the unprecedented attempts to criminalize routine political interactions. Netanyahu has argued that the prosecution’s case against him hinges on redefining standard communications with journalists and political stakeholders as corruption. If such actions are deemed criminal, how can any elected leader govern effectively? This overreach sets a dangerous precedent, not just for Israel, but for all democracies.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen at the Jerusalem District Court for the testimony of businessman Arnon Milchan in the premier’s corruption trial, July 6, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Weaponizing Institutions Against the Electorate

The actions against Netanyahu are part of a larger global trend where institutional power is used to circumvent electoral outcomes. In Israel, this has included high-profile investigations and legal cases launched in ways that seem designed to incapacitate a sitting leader rather than address substantive wrongdoing.

The judiciary’s growing role as an unelected arbiter of political disputes risks creating a system where judges, rather than voters, decide who holds power. This undermines the balance of power and weakens trust in democratic institutions. Democracy cannot function if the electorate’s voice is drowned out by elites who refuse to accept the legitimacy of the outcome.

A Global Democratic Crisis

What’s happening in Israel mirrors trends in other democracies. From Brazil to Hungary, from the United States to Poland, we see efforts to use courts, bureaucracies, and media narratives to overturn or delegitimize electoral outcomes. These actions fracture societies and deepen polarization, eroding the very fabric of democratic governance.

The global rise of such tactics underscores a chilling reality: the tools of democracy can be weaponized against itself. Courts that should protect rights become instruments of political agendas. Media outlets that should inform the public are used to shape narratives that serve narrow interests. If left unchecked, this erosion of democratic norms threatens to hollow out democracy from within.

Why It Matters to Israel and Beyond

For Israel, the stakes couldn’t be higher. As a nation surrounded by existential threats, its strength lies in its unity and democratic resilience. Undermining the electoral process weakens Israel internally at a time when external challenges—from Iran to terrorism—demand national cohesion.

Moreover, Israel’s example matters globally. As the only liberal democracy in the Middle East, its success is a beacon of hope to millions. If Israel succumbs to the forces seeking to upend its democracy, it sends a message to authoritarian regimes worldwide: even the strongest democracies can be subverted.

The Path Forward: Protecting Democracy

Israelis of all political stripes must stand together to protect the integrity of their democracy. This means respecting electoral outcomes, ensuring judicial independence without overreach, and fostering a political culture where debates are won through persuasion, not prosecution.

For Netanyahu’s critics, the message is clear: challenge his policies, oppose his leadership in the Knesset, and prepare for the next election. But the path forward must honor democratic principles, not undermine them. Winning at the ballot box, not in the courtroom, is the only legitimate way to bring change in a democracy.

Conclusion: A Test for Democracies Everywhere

The battle unfolding in Israel is a test case for democracies around the world. If the will of the electorate can be overturned through legal and institutional overreach, then no democracy is safe. It’s not just Netanyahu’s leadership on trial—it’s the very principle of democratic governance.

Israel’s democracy has survived wars, economic crises, and social upheavals. But its greatest threat may come from within, from those who believe they know better than the voters. To protect democracy, we must defend the sanctity of the ballot box and the legitimacy of elected leaders—whether we agree with them or not.

This is not just Israel’s fight. It is the fight of every democracy, everywhere.