Diaspora wants Israel to stay a liberal democracy

Since most diaspora Jews live in liberal democracies, it is little surprise that they attach importance to Israel’s credentials as a democracy. But what would happen if Israel were seen to move away from its democratic foundations?

The result would be growing distance between Israel and much of the Jewish world, according to a new report. The report was written by the Jerusalem-based think tank, the Jewish People Policy Institute, and commissioned by Israel’s Ministry of Justice, which is looking at whether Israel’s character as a “Jewish and democratic state” needs greater constitutional definition. The JPPI took soundings from a series of seminars in Jewish communities, including a London event.

Most Jews, according to the JPPI, are happy with the “Jewish and democratic” formula, even they though may differ over quite what it means. “If Israel is not a liberal democracy, its attractiveness to many diaspora Jews will erode,” the report concludes.

Diaspora Jews already show “growing assertiveness” in voicing criticism of Israel and one aspect troubles them in particular: the relationship between state and religion. “Jews in communities all around the world seem to agree that Israel’s Orthodox monopoly is not compatible with it being Jewish and democratic,” says the report.