In January this year, Israelis took to the streets to oppose an attempted overhaul of Israel’s internationally respected judicial system by the new government. Since then, hundreds of thousands of Israelis have joined protests against government attempts to fundamentally alter the democratic character of the state and weaken Israeli democracy by gaining control of the committee to elect judges, limiting judicial review, weakening the status of legal advisors and allowing almost unlimited parliamentary override of judicial decisions.  

Israel is an impressive democratic success story having built and maintained a vibrant democracy for the 75 years since its foundation. The current elected government is undermining the basic foundations of democracy and has launched an attack on liberal values.  

The protests in Israel are patriotic and non-violent. They represent a cross-spectrum of Israeli society across.. the country and include people from a range of backgrounds, political affiliations and generations. 

We hope that the country unites around the liberal principles outlined in Israel’s Declaration of Independence. Until then, the protests serve as a source of hope and inspiration for all those fighting against illiberalism. Liberal International stands with the protesters who fight for liberalism and liberal democracy and to protect the rights of minorities.