Netanyahu's Coalition is Systematically Dismantling Israeli Democratic Institutions
Source: Bernard Avishai. "Benjamin Netanyahu’s War at Home | The New Yorker." May 18, 2026. www.newyorker.com
The Gist
Netanyahu's government is taking over Israel's courts, police, media, and universities by putting political loyalists in charge instead of independent professionals. The author argues this isn't normal politics but a deliberate plan to destroy democracy and stay in power even if they lose elections.
Conclusion
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government is systematically undermining Israel's democratic institutions and laying groundwork to delegitimize future elections they might lose
Premises
- Ben-Gvir has politicized the police force, enforcing extremist views through pressure tactics and blocking career advancement of officers who investigated Netanyahu
- The government has changed Supreme Court appointment rules to give coalition politicians control over judicial appointments instead of legal professionals
- The Attorney General's prosecutorial independence is being eliminated through legislation that would make her only the government's in-house counsel
- Media independence is under attack through attempts to shut down army radio, privatize public broadcasting, and create government-controlled regulatory councils
- Academic freedom is threatened by legislation placing university oversight under political control of the Education Minister
- The government has identified approximately 80 initiatives to impair or subordinate the judiciary and civil service
- Netanyahu's administration is preparing to challenge election legitimacy by claiming the 'deep state' will manipulate results if they lose
Assumptions
- Democratic institutions require independence from political interference to function properly
- Historical precedent shows that systematic attacks on multiple democratic institutions indicate authoritarian intent
- The pattern of changes represents coordinated strategy rather than isolated policy decisions
- Public officials should be accountable to law and professional standards, not political loyalty