Current:Home > InvestHistorian Yuval Noah Harari warns of dictatorship in Israel-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Historian Yuval Noah Harari warns of dictatorship in Israel
View Date:2024-12-23 23:54:36
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! (478)
Related
- Benny Blanco Reveals Selena Gomez's Rented Out Botanical Garden for Lavish Date Night
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs' e-commerce brand dropped by companies after sexual abuse claims
- Prosecutors want a former Albanian prime minister under house arrest on corruption charges
- Japan court convicts 3 ex-servicemen in sexual assault case brought by former junior soldier
- UFC 309: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight card, odds, how to watch, date
- NBC removes Al Michaels from NFL playoff coverage
- Montana county to vote on removing election oversight duties from elected official
- Bridgerton Season 3 Premiere Dates Finally Revealed
- Britney Spears Reunites With Son Jayden Federline After His Move to Hawaii
- After Texas Supreme Court blocks her abortion, Kate Cox leaves state for procedure
Ranking
- Dwayne Johnson Admits to Peeing in Bottles on Set After Behavior Controversy
- Wrongfully convicted Minnesota man set free after nearly 2 decades in prison
- Texas Supreme Court rules against woman seeking emergency abortion after she leaves state for procedure
- Kentucky woman seeking court approval for abortion learned her embryo no longer has cardiac activity
- Ranked voting will decide a pivotal congressional race. How does that work?
- As Navalny vanishes from view in Russia, an ally calls it a Kremlin ploy to deepen his isolation
- Shohei Ohtani’s massive $700 million deal with Dodgers defers $680 million for 10 years
- 3 Florida middle school students hospitalized after showing signs of possible overdose
Recommendation
-
Trump announces Tom Homan, former director of immigration enforcement, will serve as ‘border czar’
-
Why Anne Hathaway Says It’s “Lucky” Her Barbie Movie Didn’t Get Made
-
Hasbro to lay off 1,100 employees, or 20% of its workforce, amid lackluster toy sales
-
China’s Xi visits Vietnam weeks after it strengthened ties with the US and Japan
-
Jelly Roll goes to jail (for the best reason) ahead of Indianapolis concert
-
Why Anne Hathaway Says It’s “Lucky” Her Barbie Movie Didn’t Get Made
-
Dinosaur head found in U.K., and experts say it's one of the most complete pliosaur skulls ever unearthed
-
Guest's $800K diamond ring found in vacuum bag at Paris' Ritz Hotel