Postcard From Israel: Discovering Democracy on the Streets

I recently returned from a two-week trip celebrating Yom Hatzmaut: the 75th anniversary of Israel’s Independence. Before I left, people asked if I was nervous about “everything going on” — a typical inquiry based on a constant barrage of attacks on the country by its neighbors. I always answer the same way: I feel far safer in Israel than in Los Angeles.

This time, however, I knew people were asking based on the internal issues the country is facing with the tension around the Netanyahu government’s plan for judicial reform. Reports about protests all over the country have people concerned. While I gave my usual answer because I was not going to be deterred from my visit, I wondered if I was being naïve.

Having witnessed the protests after the shooting of George Floyd and the events of January 6th, many of us have a level of anxiety that makes us wary of large gatherings and demonstrations, especially ones that represent a political or social message, fearing that it could become violent.  I will never forget driving into Beverly Hills and seeing the National Guard tanks on Rodeo Drive, or my concern during the presidential election and inauguration that led me to take my kids to Orange County in case there were any issues, like the protests that had become riots earlier that year.

The first few days I was in Israel, I had the opportunity to speak with friends, both Israeli and American, who were active participants in the protests taking place throughout the country. I came to understand that the general nature of the gatherings opposing Netanyahu’s judicial reform plan were extremely well organized, generally peaceful, and inclusive of many voices in Israeli society. I decided that it was not only of interest but also an obligation for me, as an American Jew who loves Israel and relies on the country as a safe haven, to understand what was happening. I also felt that it was important for my 17-year-old daughter Zoe, who will be on a college campus in the fall, to continue to deepen her knowledge of issues facing the country. I decided that we would visit Tel Aviv the following Saturday so that we could participate in what was to be one of the largest gatherings in the 17 weeks the protests had been ongoing. Similar gatherings have been held in cities throughout the country.

When we arrived, we met my friend Michal, who is a family law attorney working in both the Israeli and Sharia courts. She took us to say hello to her friend Guy Poran who has been working to organize these weekly gatherings, and is the founder of the 555 Patriots, a group of former IAF fighters working to strengthen the value of liberal democracy in Israel in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence. We walked toward the main stage, stopping in front of the window of an apartment building, where a man played the piano for the crowds from his fourth-floor apartment. I got chills listening to the hauntingly beautiful music drifting over the streets as people walked with their Israeli flags toward the growing group.

As we walked further into the crowd, the streets were lined with people holding signs and giving out t-shirts. Michal explained who the different groups were, and that over 150 organizations are represented each week. The diversity of the groups was astounding and included mothers, doctors, students, women, LGBTQ+ organizations, IDF reservists and youth, high-tech workers, educators, new immigrants, Druze (who represent one of several religious minorities in Israel) and even one comprised of Arabs and Jews working together to protect democracy. 

My daughter is generally uncomfortable in large crowds, but she had a huge smile on her face as she waved an Israeli flag along with a crowd of more than 320,000 people. The speakers started around 8:00, followed by the crowd singing “Hatikvah” together after Shabbat ended.

This didn’t feel anything like I imagine when I hear the word “protest,” which invokes images of angry people screaming over one another to have their voice heard. This felt more like a celebration. 

This didn’t feel anything like I imagine when I hear the word “protest,” which invokes images of angry people screaming over one another to have their voice heard. This felt more like a celebration. The only flags waving were Israeli ones, and the only raised voices were in response to the call-outs by the people on stage. The chant “Democrati” (“democracy” in Hebrew) echoed through the streets. There was an overwhelming sense of community and unity.

I was filled with pride, and for the first time in my life I truly felt like I was a part of Israeli society, not just an observer. I understood that this was democracy in action.

Of course, there are at least two sides to the story, and just a few nights before, people who support Netanyahu’s approach to judicial reform had gathered to have their voices heard as well. The truth is that most Israelis agree that judicial reform is necessary; the division lies in how it is accomplished.

Those who oppose Netanyahu’s plan believe it goes too far, disrupting the checks and balances that are essential to preserving a democracy so that it remains representative of the people.  The proposed plan seems to be more of an “overhaul” than a reform as it involves firing the entire Supreme Court and giving Netanyahu and his ministers greater power to appoint and approve the new judges. And a clearly self-serving part of the plan would make it more difficult for Netanyahu to be declared “unfit for office” while he is Prime Minister, thus avoiding his pending corruption trial. The protestors are further concerned that giving more power to the right-leaning government will erode the rights of Israeli citizens.  

I am not blind to the fact that there are people who take the protests a step further and that there has been violence associated with both sides when they assemble, but this is generally ancillary to the larger gatherings, and is not comparable to the level of destruction we have seen here in the U.S.

With the rise in antisemitism throughout the world, we cannot assume that without our participation Israel will continue to exist. While we may not always agree with the policies and politics of the Israeli government, we have a responsibility to continue to support the country and not to turn a blind eye just because things are complicated.

Yesterday, my 16-year-old daughter Isabella, who is spending the semester in Israel through the Alexander Muss High School Israel program, had a Tiyul in the Negev cut short because of the warnings of possible attacks on Israel. I woke up this morning and learned that there were sirens in Tel Aviv and heavy rocket fire in the south. While I am concerned about my daughter and her classmates, I can’t help but think about all of the mothers in Israel whose children, the same age as my daughter Zoe and just a couple year older than Isabella, are serving in the IDF and risking their lives every single day. I think of the families forced to evacuate their homes or who are living in their bomb shelters right now. In many ways, I am grateful that Izzy is there during this difficult time so she can better understand what day-to-day life is for Israelis, and the sacrifices they make so that we have a homeland.

Am I nervous about going to Israel with everything going on? No. But I am nervous about what it would look like if Jews throughout the world did not go to Israel out of fear, especially a fear based on these protests, which are actually an incredible showing of the passion Israelis have for their country and for democracy.

Now is an incredible and important time to go to Israel.  It always is.

Now is an incredible and important time to go to Israel.  It always is.

Below, I offer a list of some of the main groups participating in protests opposing Netanyahu’s proposed approach to judicial reform

The Black Flags

The biggest protest movement, founded back in the days of the Balfour demonstrations, include hundreds of thousands of supporters and main organizers of the large demonstrations in Tel Aviv as well as all over Israel. Their slogan is: Saving Israel’s Democracy. 

The Student Protest Movement

A pluralistic grassroots movement of 12,000 students from over 30 institutions, representing a wide variety of backgrounds and opinions, all fighting for a democratic future. Their aim is to stop the proposed judicial coup through demonstrations, advocacy activities, dialogue with Knesset members, and more. As students, they emphasize the younger generation’s concerns, as well as the dangers facing academia.

Ahim Laneshek (Brothers in Arms)

Brothers and Sisters in Arms is the protest movement of the IDF reservists and veterans in defense of Israeli democracy.

555 Patriots

A group of former IAF fighters working to strengthen the values of liberal democracy in Israel, in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence. The group’s name is derived from the petition signed in February 2020 by 555 former Israeli pilots against the candidacy of a person indicted with criminal charges. As of today there are about 1,100 members in 555 Patriots.

The Youth Protest Movement

The Youth Protest Movement is a movement of thousands of teenagers from across Israel who are concerned for their future given the government’s actions and decided to play an active role in protecting the Israeli democracy as well as standing up for the values of equality and human rights. Their goal is to promote youth civic engagement and to provide a platform for the expression of youth voices as part of the protests.

Bonot Alternativa (Building an Alternative)

A nonpolitical organization representing political parties and communities around the country. The women comprising Bonot Alternativa are secular, Haredi, right-wing and Arab. What brings them together is the desire to promote women’s rights in Israel. They are known for their eerie, silent protests in which they dress as the women from “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

Hi-Tech Protest Movement

The movement has thousands of hi-tech workers throughout the country and abroad. They focus primarily on the effects of the anti-democratic legislation on the high-tech industry and the Israeli economy.

The Pink Front

A non-violent resistance movement that was established during the Balfour demonstrations against Netanyahu in 2019.

EduFront

Protest movement of men and women from the Education System. “Democracy has to be born anew every generation, and education is its midwife” (John Dewey).

CrimeMinister

A 5-year-old civil movement with over 70,000 supporters, focusing on the demand to “cleanup” the corruption in the Israeli political systems.

Olim For Democracy (New immigrants to Israel, who made Aliyah) 

A movement made up of New Olim from left and right who chose to move to a democratic Israel and are now fighting to keep it democratic.

Bemotam Tzhvu Lanu Democratia (In their death they left us an order to keep the democracy)

A movement of families of soldiers who died for the defense of Israel.

The White Robes

A movement uniting medical professionals fighting for democracy and trying to keep the public health system of Israel free of corruption, discrimination and political manipulations.

Nemanei Hamegila (Loyalists of the Declaration of Independence)

A movement demanding that the principles of Israel’s Declaration of Independence (signed in May 1948 when the state was declared), will be strictly kept and enforced. 

Kumi Israel (Wake-up Israel)

A movement of young people, formed during the Balfour protests, with tens of thousands of supporters. Dedicated to fighting the extreme right plans to weaken Israel’s judicial system and democracy.

Courtney Mizel currently serves as a Board of Directors member for multiple nonprofits and a NYSE listed company.