A Decade of Anti-Democratic Legislation According to the Left
T. Belman. The Left in Israel often claim that right wing policies threaten Israel as a democratic country. They get on their high horse and demand that Israel be both democratic and Jewish. Just as there are different definitions of what constitutes being Jewish, there are different understandings of what constitutes being a democracy. In all democracies, majority rules but all majorities are constrained in what they can legislate by certain minority rights and by the constitution or basic laws.
The Democracy Institute, a left leaning NGO, published this article. I have taken the trouble to show what it claims in paragraph one as undemocratic, is a biased view.
This is a prime example of bias. Admissions Committees Law, people should be able to live in segregated communities if they so choose. But the Democracy Institute says its undemocratic because its discriminatory. People should be able to live wherever they want, it says. I say people should have the right to create their own environment in which to live. I do not accept that people don’t have that right in a democracy. Certainly a government, voted in by a majority, has the right to give precedence to the right to live in your own community rather than the right to live anywhere.
The same goes for the Anti-Boycott Law, The government has the right to restrict freedom of expression and to do so is not undemocratic. Should there not be laws in the US which prohibit organized boycotts against trade with Israel. The same goes for Israel.
The Naqba Law also is acceptable in a democracy. Its a matter of self defense. In my opinion, Israel should pass laws that prevent promoting the Arab Narrative and Arab resistance for the same reason. Ultimately such laws prevent sedition. After all Democracy isn’t a suicide pact..
By Dr. Amir Fuchs, DEMOCRACY INSTITUTE 1.1.20
