As Israel is swept up by mass protests demanding the safeguarding of democratic principles, an evident absence of a stance against Israel’s longstanding military control over Palestinians remains conspicuous. This omission highlights a prevalent sentiment among Jewish Israelis who view the Palestinian issue as unsolvable and distinct from Israel’s internal challenges.
Many observers, including Palestinians, criticize the movement for overlooking the stark contrast of advocating for democracy while maintaining an oppressive regime over the Palestinians. “The irony is palpable. As they champion democracy, they ignore the longstanding dictatorship imposed on Palestinians,” remarks Palestinian analyst Diana Buttu.
The main thrust of the protests targets the attempts of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration to curtail the judiciary’s role in scrutinizing official decisions and laws. The movement, narrowly focusing on this issue, has rallied thousands for almost 30 consecutive weeks.
The Netanyahu coalition, primarily composed of ultra-nationalist and religious groups closely associated with West Bank settlers, argues that this change will empower elected officials while checking an assertive judiciary. Conversely, detractors see this legislative initiative, mainly steered by far-right elements, as a threat to Israel’s foundational democratic norms and a gateway to autocratic rule, risking personal freedoms and minority rights.
While protesters hail from diverse backgrounds chanting slogans of democracy, there is a notable absence of acknowledgment of the Palestinian occupation. Only a minority of participants address the issue and often find themselves sidelined.
The Palestinian residents of Israel, accounting for a fifth of the total populace, have abstained mainly from these protests due to this glaring omission.
Dror Etkes, an experienced anti-occupation advocate, states, “The essence of this protest is safeguarding democratic space primarily for Jewish citizens, overlooking Israel’s discriminatory practices in the West Bank.”
Etkes, while apprehensive, participate in the protests, attributing the neglect of the Palestinian issue to a strategy to foster unity against immediate threats.
The Palestinian aspiration for an independent state has faced challenges since 1967 when Israel annexed the West Bank, east Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. Israel’s dominance permeates many aspects of Palestinian lives in the West Bank, from mobility and construction to significant economic sectors.
Moreover, a dual legal system in the West Bank subjects Palestinians to military law, depriving them of voting rights in Israeli elections. Meanwhile, Palestinians in east Jerusalem face significant discrimination, despite some benefits.
Rights organizations argue that these disparities resemble an apartheid regime, an allegation Israel resolutely disputes. Many Jewish Israelis rationalize the occupation as a necessary security measure, accusing Palestinians of declining peace propositions.
Amichai Cohen, from the Israel Democracy Institute, suggests that this mindset hinders Israeli protesters from realizing the incongruity of their actions. Yet, some indications hint that the issue of the occupation is gradually seeping into the protests, offering a glimmer of hope for awareness.
The protests’ timing coincides with an uptick in Israeli-Palestinian hostilities, with the chant “Where were you in Hawara?” emerging in response to perceived police inaction during extremist attacks on Palestinians.
Despite these subtle shifts, Palestinians remain doubtful of the movement’s potential impact. Shawan Jabarin of Al-Haq asserts, “While they rally for democracy, the presence of the occupation casts a long shadow, questioning the very democracy they seek.”
The resonance of the Israeli protests advocating for democracy underscores a broader conversation about the nature of democracy itself. While the immediate concerns focus on internal reforms and protecting the nation’s democratic fabric, the shadow of the Palestinian occupation is hard to ignore. As Israel grapples with these multifaceted challenges, whether the government will fully confront and reconcile with the broader implications of its policies within and beyond its borders remains to be seen.
