Ministry of Foreign Affairsembassies.gov.il/NAIROBI/ABOUTISRAEL/Documents/Democracy... · 2018. 7. 11. · THE COURTS 10 DEMOCRACY & CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 12 EQUALITY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Media and Public Affairs Division

Information and Visual Media Department

Director: Mordehay Rodgold

Project Managers: Michal Gur-Aryeh and Ariella Charny

Executive Manager: MGS Language Services

Creative and Project Manager: Visual-Trigger

Design: Hashchuna

Content Research: Maof Creative

Writing: Judy Elkus

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FACTS ABOUT

ISRAEL

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 2

THE KNESSET 4

THE GOVERNMENT 6

THE PRESIDENCY 8

THE COURTS 10

DEMOCRACY & CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 12

EQUALITY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES 14

CIVIL SOCIETY 16

MEDIA 18

NATIONAL SECURITY 20

DemoCracY

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Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, declaring the establishment of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948

THE DECLARATION OFINDEPENDENCE

Democracy | The Declaration of Independence

On May 14, 1948, on the day the British Mandate over Palestine ended, David Ben Gurion, Israel's first Prime Minister, declared the establishment of the State of Israel.

“The Land of Israel was the birthplace of the Jewish people. Here their spiritual, religious, and political identity was shaped. Here they first attained statehood, created cultural values of national and universal significance and gave to the world the eternal Book of Books. The State of Israel will be open for Jewish immigration...will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel;

it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions; and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. We extend our hand to all neighboring states and their peoples in an offer of peace and good neighborliness, and appeal to them to establish bonds of cooperation and mutual help with the sovereign Jewish people settled in its own land.” (Excerpts from the Declaration of Independence)

International Recognition The international community endorses the Jewish people’s right to self-determination in Israel. While recognizing “the historical connection of the Jewish people" with the Land of Israel, the League of Nations (precursor to the UN) convened on 24 July 1922 and entrusted Great Britain with the mandate "to secure the establishment of the Jewish national home." After Great Britain announced the end of its mandate to the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 181 on 29 November 1947, calling for the establishment of a Jewish state in the Land of Israel. On 14 May 1948, the State of Israel wasdeclared, as a democracy guaranteeing equality to all its citizens, Jewish and non-Jewish alike.


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Key values in the Declaration of Independence

National Symbols Israel’s national symbols are inspired by Jewish history and traditions. The flag features a Star of David along with the two blue stripes of the Jewish prayer shawl (tallit); the state emblem depicts the biblical candelabrum (menorah) with olive branches representing peace; and the national anthem, Hatikva ("The Hope"), refers to the 2000-year-old longing for renewed Jewish independencein the Land of Israel.

Did You Know? Israel’s Declaration of Independence is one of the world’s earliest constitutional documents to refer to gender equality, guaranteeing equal rights to both sexes. Indeed, two of the signatories to the Declaration werewomen: Golda Meir and Rachel Cohen.

Freedom Equality regardless ofreligion, race & sex

Justice Self-determination

Safeguarding the holyplaces of all religions

Peace Israel in thefamily of nations

Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, declaring the establishment of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948

THE DECLARATION OFINDEPENDENCE


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The Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem | Flash 90

THE KNESSET

The party leader who enjoys the confidence of a majority of MKs (usually from a coalition of parties) forms the government and becomes the prime minister.

The single-chamber Knesset sits in Jerusalem. It has 120 members, who are elected to a four-year term. During its term,the Knesset may dissolve itself, leading to a new election.

The Knesset passes laws and supervises government activities. Much of the Knesset's work is carried out by 15 Knesset committees, such as the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee; the Education, Culture, and Sports Committee; andthe Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality.

In keeping with its commitment to transparency, the activities of the Knesset are open to the public. Moreover, throughout the day, debates are broadcast live from the chamber and the committees on a dedicated television channel and on theKnesset website: knesset.gov.il.

Representation ofMinorities

Members of Knesset (MKs) from minority groups in Israel have served since the formation of the very first Knesset in 1949, both in mainstream national parties and in sectoral parties that represent their communities’ specific interests. A significant number of Israeli Muslim, Christian and Druze MKs have held the positions of Deputy Speaker, Minister and Deputy Minister. Druze MK Majalli Wahabi became Acting President for a short period in2007.

Debates are generally conducted in Hebrew, but members may speak Arabic as both are official languages of the State of Israel. Simultaneous translation isavailable.

Democracy | The Knesset

Israel is a parliamentary democracy. Israeli citizens vote for their party of choice in national elections, bestowing sovereignty on the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.


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Did You Know? The Knesset is one of the greenest parliaments in the world. In 2015, a 4,650 square-meter solar plant was unveiled on the roof of the building, generating most of the Knesset’s electricity. The Knesset has undertaken measures to promote water conservation, recycling and an organizational culture of sustainability.

A Lively Democracy Israel is a vibrant democracy – since 1948, the country has held elections twenty times. The proportional representation voting system means that a typical Knesset has ten or more parties, reflecting the diversity of the electorate. The coalitions formed enjoy the support of an overall majority of the voters and reflect a spectrum of views. Decisions must thus be reached through compromise and dialogue.

Israel's Election Process

Elections are by secret

ballot

Voters cast ballots for

parties

The 120 Knesset seats are assigned in proportion to each party's percentage of the total vote; the minimum requiredthreshold is 3.25%

The entire country constitutes a

single electoralconstituency

The Knesset (parliament) is elected directly

by the voters

Israeli citizens age 18+ can

vote

The Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem | Flash 90

Voting ballots


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The government depends upon the confidence of the Knesset (the Israeli parliament), without which it cannot proceed. The government is the executive authority of the State of Israel and is responsible for administering internal and foreign affairs, including security matters. Its policy-making powers cover a wide spectrum and it is authorized to take action on any issue which does not fall under the legal responsibility of another authority.

Each government serves a maximum four-year term and may define its own decision-making procedures. It usually meets once a week, but additional meetings may be called as needed. It may also act through ministerial committees.

THEGOVERNMENT

Democracy | The Government

The Attorney General The Attorney General has four primary responsibilities: serving as chief legal counsel to the government; representing the public interest in any legal matter; heading the public prosecution system; and advising the state in all legislative proceedings. The Attorney General is selected by a committee from the country's top legal experts; they are completely independent, non-partisanand answerable only to the law.

Prime Minister Netanyahu at a weekly cabinet meeting

The Attorney General of Israel, Avichai Mandelblit


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At Your Service The Israeli government portal, www.gov.il, serves as an important connection between the government and the people, promoting accountability and public participation. In addition to providing information on virtually any government-related topic, the portal also enables the public to email any government authority, submit paperwork and make payments online. Israel is a member of the International Open Government Partnership and a world leader in e-government. Indeed, Israel received a UN award for ‘outstanding progress’ in e-government, and ranks in the top 20 among the 193 member states in e-government development.

Prime Ministers of Israel

Did You Know? The state comptroller and staff assure public accountability of the executive (government), reporting on the legality, integrity, efficiency, economy and effectiveness of government activities. The comptroller reports to the Knesset and may initiate an investigation into any public body, either of their own accord orin response to a complaint from the public.

Ariel Sharon2001-2006

Ehud Olmert 2006-2009

David Ben-Gurion1948-1954, 1955-1963

Moshe Sharett1954-1955

Levi Eshkol1963-1969

Golda Meir1969-1974

Yitzhak Rabin1974-1977, 1992-1995

Menachem Begin1977-1983

Yitzhak Shamir1983-1984, 1986-1992

Shimon Peres1984-1986, 1995-1996

Ehud Barak1999-2001

BenjaminNetanyahu1996-19992009-


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PMs of Israel

THE PRESIDENCY

Democracy | The Presidency

Did You Know? Registering some 100 patents during his career, Israel's first president,Chaim Weizman (1874- 1952), was also a renowned biochemist. He pioneered scientific excellence in the Land of Israel, founding the Weizman Institute of Science in 1934, and was involved in the creation of the Technion Institute of Technology (1912) and the Hebrew University (1918).

1973-78 Ephraim Katzir Prominentscientist

1952-63Yitzhak Ben-ZviHistorian, Head of the JewishAgency

1963-73Zalman Shazar Historian, Author, Poet, FormerMinister

1978-83 Yitzhak Navon Educator, Author,Former Minister

1949-52Chaim Weizmann,Prominent scientist,

President of the WorldZionist Organization

The president is the formal, non-partisan head of state.

His function is mainly representative; he personifies Israel's moral and democratic values and the links that connect and unify Israeli society. The Knesset – Israel's parliament and sovereign – elects the president for a single 7-year term by a simple majority from among candidates nominated by a group of 10 or more members of the Knesset. Candidates for the presidency are nominatedon the basis of their personal stature and lifelong contribution to the country.

The current president, Mr. Reuven Rivlin, was born in Jerusalem in 1939. An attorney by profession and a member of the Knesset since 1988, Mr. Rivlin has served in a wide variety of public positions on behalf of the Likud party, including Minister of Communications and two terms as Speaker of the Knesset. PresidentRivlin took office on July 24, 2017.

Chaim Weizman


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PMs of Israel

The President's OfficialDuties

• Opens the first session of a newly elected Knesset• Designates a member of Knesset (Israel's parliament) to form the government and become prime minister• Signs of all laws passed by a majority vote in the Knesset• Accepts the credentials of the heads of foreign diplomatic missions • Signs the credentials of the heads of Israel's diplomatic missions abroad• Signs international treaties ratified by the Knesset• Appoints judges and senior officials, such as the governor of the Bank of Israel, upon the recommendation of the government/executive branch • Receives regular reports from the government on its meetings• Grants pardons to offenders, on advice from the Minister of Justice

1983-93 Chaim Herzog Attorney, Former Ambassador tothe UN

1993-2000 Ezer Weizman Former IDF Air Force Commander,Former Minister

2000-07Moshe Katzav Former Mayor,Former Minister

2007-14Shimon Peres Former Minister and Prime Minister, NobelPeace Prize laureate

2014-CurrentReuven Rivlin Attorney, Former Minister, FormerSpeaker of the Knesset

President Rivlin with religious leaders at the Council of Faith


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The Supreme Court

Independent and proactive, the judiciary applies and interprets laws, developing authoritative case law and rendering decisions of a constitutional nature. The independence of Israel’s judiciary is guaranteed both by law and in practice. Judges are appointed by the president of Israel upon recommendation of a committee comprised of Supreme Court judges, members of the bar, and public figures. Appointments are permanent, withmandatory retirement at age 70.

The Supreme Court acts as an appellate court and also sits as the High Court of Justice, exercising judicial review over the executive and legislative branches. It has broad authority and, over the years, Supreme Court rulings have applied constitutional guarantees in a range of fundamental civil liberties, including freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion. Indeed, there have been instances where the Supreme Court has annulled legislation that conflicts with the Basic Laws that enshrine such rights. Matters of national security are also heard, often in real-time operational situations, to ensure the legality of military strategy in times of conflict.

The majority of judges in Israel are women. In 2015, Miriam Naor became the second woman to beappointed president of the Supreme Court of Israel.

Did You Know? Israel has pioneered mediation as an alternative to litigation in civil cases. Since 2008, disputants in civil cases worth over NIS 75,000 (about 20,000 USD) have been required to attend a meeting with a designated mediator who can explain how mediation works, how it can save time and reduce costs, and how it can lead to a more amicable solution between parties.

THE COURTS

Democracy | The Courts


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Guaranteeing Freedom Israel's Supreme Court is highly regarded as one of the leading constitutional courts in the world and its decisions are closely followed. It has implemented a proactive and in-depth analysis of fundamental democratic values from its earliest days, as in the Kol Ha’Am case in 1953, regarding the sanctity of freedom of speech. The court set a ‘near certainty’ test in the event of a direct contradiction between the freedom of speech and another basic right, holding that freedom of speech is to be prioritized unless and to the extent that there is a near certainty that its exercise wouldcause real and substantial damage to the other basic right.

The Structure of the Judiciary

The Supreme

Court

District CourtsOf Law

Special Courts (Traffic, Religious, Labor, Municipal & Other Affairs)

The Magistrates’

Courts

Newly appointed judges at the swearing-in ceremony at the President's residence in Jerusalem | Flash 90

The Supreme Court


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Israel has no formal written constitution; however, over the years, the Knesset (the Israeli parliament) has enacted a number of Basic Laws, which established the principles of the constitutional system and enshrine fundamental human rights. These Basic Laws are held to have a constitutional nature and, on this basis, the Supreme Court may annul legislation that is considered to contravene them.

In Israel, as in every democracy, the rule of law is a key feature of public life. Laws are enacted by the Knesset through a transparent and inclusive process and all laws are public and subject to judicial review of their constitutionality. Most importantly, all entities, public or private, individual or organizational, are accountable under the law. In some cases, public figures have been placedbehind bars for various legal offenses.

DEMOCRACY & CONSTITUTIONALLAW

Democracy | Democracy & Constitutional Law

Upholding Basic Laws The Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty (guaranteeing the sanctity of every person’s life, liberty, dignity, privacy and property), and the Basic Law: Freedom of Employment (under-scoring the right to engage in any employment, profession or trade) are the most prominent Basic Laws, which take precedence over ordinary legislation. Legislation may only contradict a Basic Law if it is in the public interest, if it accords with Israel's democratic values and if it has the least possible effect on the rightprotected by the Basic Law.

Upholding Basic Laws The Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty (guaranteeing the sanctity of every person’s life, liberty, dignity, privacy and property), and the Basic Law: Freedom of Employment (under-scoring the right to engage in any employment, profession or trade) are the most prominent Basic Laws, which take precedence over ordinary legislation. Legislation may only contradict a Basic Law if it is in the public interest, if it accords with Israel's democratic values and if it has the least possible effect on the rightprotected by the Basic Law.

Equality, human rights and fundamental freedoms are the cornerstones of Israel’s democracy, both in law and in practice.


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The Government

Executive

Israel's Political System Democracy Preceded Statehood Israel's democratic foundations were laid by the Jewish community in the Land of Israel well before independence. The first elections to the community's National Assembly were conducted in 1920, during British mandatory rule. From the very first Assembly, women enjoyed full rights to elect and be elected. The strong democratic institutions of the community laid the foundations for Israel's parliamentary democracy once independence wasachieved in 1948.

Did You Know? The civil liberties and fundamental freedoms of all Israeli citizens are fully protected by law and in practice. The Israeli legal system – both legislation enacted by the Knesset and case law developed by the judiciary – guarantees a broad range of freedoms, including freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press and freedom of religion.

The Knesset (Parliament)

Legislative

The President: State Figurehead

The People

The Electorate

The Prime Minister

Executive

Vot

es Elects for 7 Years

appoints

Supervises

Forms

Ele

cts

ceremonially

The assembly hall of the Israeli Knesset (parliament) in Jerusalem | Flash 90

An Israeli at a rally in Tel Aviv


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“The State of Israel...will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions; and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.” (Excerpts from the Declaration of Independence)

Since its establishment, a core value of Israeli democracy has been that all citizens are equal, irrespective of gender, religion, or race. On an individual level, the rights of every Israeli are fully protected, in law and in practice, whether they are male or female, Jewish or Arab, heterosexual or LGBT, physically and mentally fit or challenged. For example, Israeli women have held leadership roles well before the establishment of the state. Tel Aviv is one of the most LGBT-friendlycities in the world.

On a communal level, Israel officially recognizes 15 distinct religious groups, safeguarding their traditions and festivals. Arabic is anofficial language of Israel alongside Hebrew.

EQUALITY ANDCIVIL LIBERTIES

A Democratic and Jewish State Israel defines itself as a democratic and Jewish state. As a democracy, the law ensures equal treatment of all citizens, regardless of religion, race, sexual orientation or gender. Fundamental freedoms are guaranteed for all. At the same time, Israel was established as the national homeland of the Jewish people. Accordingly, Jewish traditions, culture and festivals featureprominently in public life.

Democracy | Equality And Civil Liberties


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Did You Know? Israelis are guaranteed the basic means to fulfill their potential: all children between the ages of 3 and 18 enjoy free education; similarly, healthcare coverage is provided to all residents.

Empowering the Disabled Israel is committed to empowering people with disabilities and ensuring their full integration. Public areas and transportation are nearly always wheelchair accessible, and equal employment opportunities are protected with anti-discrimination laws. In fact, workplaces with over 100 employees are required by law to employ disabled peopletotalling three percent of their total workforce.

Equal Opportunities Case Study: Medical Students

22%Arabs*

*The Arab sector forms21% of Israeli society.

54%Women

Soccer team with Arab, Jewish and Druze children in Israel

The late President Peres with children with special needs


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Israel’s civil society sector is one of the largest in the world in terms of the contribution it makes to the country’s gross domestic product (13.5% of GDP) and the number of people it employs – some 12.7% of the economically active population.

There are around 50,000 registered not-for-profit organizations, covering a broad range of issues, including human rights and equality, the environment, youth at risk, animal rights, welfare and health and many more. The work of these organizations ranges from direct intervention at the grassroots level to influencing public policy. Civil society organizations constitute a crucial and vocal component in thepublic debate, actively contributing to the decision-

making process. The Israeli government partners with hundreds of NGOs, recognizing the indispensablevalue of their expertise.

Activism often begins early, and youth movements provide a way for teenagers to put their ideals into action, impact their communities and connect with other young people around the world. The National Student and Youth Council, an elected body,represents young Israelis, aged 11-19, in public policy-making processes.

CIVILSOCIETY

An Outspoken Nation Israelis don’t shy away from making their views known, if necessary through demonstrations and protests. The ‘tent protest’ in the summer of 2011 was the biggest protest in Israel’s history. 300,000 people gathered in Tel Aviv, 40,000 in Jerusalem and 30,000 in Haifa, demanding reduced living costs and improved public services.

Democracy | Civil Society

Israelis bear a strong sense of mutual solidarity and about one third of adults are engaged in volunteer work in their communities.


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Did You Know? Israeli civil rights organizations actively promote social justice and better government accountability. They appear before committees of the Knesset (parliament), in the courts and in the media as a voice for a wide variety of groups, such as women, children, ethnic minorities, LGBT, laborers, illegal immigrants and more.

Protecting the Environment One of the oldest environmental protection organizations in the world, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) has, since 1953, worked to protect Israel's natural assets, landscapes, flora and fauna. SPNI is active on all levels, from advocating policy, legislation and urban planning, to operating eco-tourism centres and guided nature tours. SPNI is also in charge of maintaining Israel's nature walking and cycling trails, including the beloved Israel National Trail, which spans the entire country from north to south for over 1,100 km (680 miles) and has been explored by hundreds of thousands of Israelis and tourists alike. Over the years, many more NGOshave joined Israel's environmental movement.

Working for a Good Cause

Percentage of the economically active populationworking in the not-for-profit sector.

12.7%Israel

11.5%Australia

10.2%United States

10.0%Japan

8.9%France

Teenagers volunteering on a farm in Israel


18The channel 2 newsroom

The media plays an important role in the public debate on pertinent social,economic and political issues. Beyond reporting the news, it also exposes misconduct; a number of legal processes triggered by media exposures have resulted in the prosecution of public figures. In addition, the media plays an important role in the public debate on pertinent social, economic and political issues, and forms part of the decision-making process on a broad range of matters. Internet access is very widespread, with close to 90% of the population surfing the Internet regularly. Together with mobile apps, the net has become the most popular medium for news consumption. Indeed, the top three Israeli websites are all news sites - Walla, Ynet and Mako.

Reflecting the diverse backgrounds of Israelis, in addition to Hebrew, there are daily newspapers published in Arabic, English, Russian and French. All Israeli newspapers are privately owned and most major publications have online editions. There are also more than 1,000 periodicals and magazines, covering every taste and interest.

The Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) maintains publically-owned radio and television channels, which enjoy high ratings. A plethora of private channels is also available, and many Israelis subscribe to cable or satellite television.

MEDIA

Democracy | Media


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Did You Know? Relative to its small size, Israel is home to the largest concentration of foreign journalists in the world. Some 480 journalists registered through the Foreign Press Association are accredited in Israel on an ongoing basis; in times of crisis, this number reaches several thousands. As a result, the international media coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is more extensive than that of anycomparable conflict around the world.

A Tradition of Free Press Privately-owned national newspapers pre-date the establishment of the state (1948). Ha’aretz, one of the country’s quality newspapers, was first published in Tel Aviv in 1919; the obsolete Davar was first printed in 1925 and the Jerusalem Post, an English-language newspaper,began in its original form in 1932.

Keeping Up with Current Affairs

33% of prime time television is dedicatedto news programs

12.5% of Israelis watch the news for an hourevery evening.

Get Your News From the Source Israeli media outlets disseminate breaking, on-the-ground news in various languages to people all over the world. Publications such as the Jerusalem Post, Ha’Aretz, Ynet and Israel Hayom all have English websites which are widely read around the globe. The online-only newspaper the Times of Israel has become a popular source, covering regional developments in English, Arabic, French, Chinese and Persian. The private TV and internet channel i24 News broadcasts international current affairs from Israel in English, French and Arabic. Arab-Israeli journalist Lucy Aharish is i24's leading anchor.

The channel 2 newsroom


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The IDF is made up of a small standing army of conscripts and career personnel, a regular air force and navy. The majority of its forces are reservists, who, in a time of war or crisis, are quickly mobilized into their units from all over the country.

Eligible men and women are drafted into the IDF at age 18 and serve between 24 and 32 months. Soldiers and officers of all backgrounds – be they male or female, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druze or other – serve side-by-side, including in combat, intelligence and combat support units. Thoseexempted from mandatory service, such as Arabs, Ultra-

Orthodox Jews and persons with disabilities, may volunteer for either full military service or national service to thecommunity.

The mission of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is to protect the State of Israel and its citizens and deter potential attackers. Since it was founded in 1948, it has had to defend the country from more than ten large-scalemilitary attacks.

The IDF is also active in the war against terrorism, togetherwith the police's special anti-terrorist units.

Though it has always been outnumbered by hostile armies, the IDF maintains a qualitative advantage by deploying advanced weapons systems, many of which are developed and manufactured in Israel for its specific needs.

NATIONALSECURITY

Technological Innovation Israel relies on ingenuity ofits people to develop high-

tech solutions to the complex challenges the country faces. Among Israel's best-known military technologies are defense systems which intercept missiles and rockets aimed at Israel's civilian populations, such as the Arrow (for long-range defense)and the Iron Dome (for short-

range rockets and shells). Their incredible speed and accuracy save countless lives.

Democracy | National Security

The Iron Dome Defense System


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Did You Know? The IDF has developed unique, tailor-made programs to successfully integrate volunteers with physical and mental disabilities into its ranks. Soldiers with autism, cerebral palsy or other special needs are able to put their talents into action and benefit from an empowering and valuable experience.

Fighting Terrorism Within the Law To ensure Israel’s compliance with the rule of law, the Supreme Court, sitting as the High Court of Justice, hears petitions on national security issues, sometimes in mid-combat and in the middle of the night, to determine the legality of the military’s actions. According to the laws of armed conflict, any country may strike legitimate military targets, while taking measures to minimize the impact of military action on uninvolved civilians, some of whom are used by terrorists as human shields.

Women in the IDF

50% of IDF officers are female

34% of soldiers arewomen

90% of IDF positions areopen to women

Pilots in the Israeli Airforce

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