ISRAEL: INTERRUPTED DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT?

Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Israeli democracy has followed a unique trajectory. Despite its strengths - regular and fair elections, an independent judiciary, a pluralistic party system etc. - the author argues that democratic development is in fact "interrupted." The author identifies four main areas: the continuous occupation since 1967, the status of the Arab citizens within Israel, the growing socio-economic gaps, and the relationship between the state and religion. In order to mitigate the threats to Israeli democracy, the author espouses going back to fundamental democratic values - above all, democratic education in schools to build an enduring trust in democracy among young people.